Key Points
- Seven people got life sentences for the brutal murder of Piet Els.
- The crime involved robbery, assault, and a disturbing plan for cleansing rituals.
- The investigation exposed links with individuals from Lesotho.
The Northern Cape High Court has sentenced seven people to life in prison for the brutal murder of well-known Kimberley businessman Piet Els.
The combined sentences add up to more than 100 years, bringing some form of closure to a crime that left the community shaken.
The night everything went wrong
It all started back in January 2018. Els, who was 86 years old, and his 67-year-old partner were attacked in their home on Carter Ridge farm.
The attack was nothing short of horrific. Els suffered serious head injuries and battled for his life in the hospital for 111 days before he passed away.
His partner didn’t escape unharmed either—she was sexually and physically assaulted during the home invasion.
Judge President Kathy Satchwell didn’t hold back when describing the crime. She said it was cruel and calculated, involving not just murder, but aggravated robbery and home invasion.
The seven who were sentenced are Morapedi Rankali (28), Motlalalentwe Qhautse (37), Lizbeth Ndlala (56), Themba Lawrence Maja (68), Oupa Jeffrey Mahomane (44), Samson Sam Mbokane (63), and Jabulani Wilson Zuma (62). They’re all facing life behind bars.
The crime and its twisted details
Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock painted a chilling picture of what happened. After the attack, the robbers didn’t just leave—they took cash, jewelry, firearms, a Mercedes-Benz, and other valuables.
But it gets worse. According to Mojalefa Senokoatsane, a spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Zuma had planned ahead.
He allegedly brought in three traditional healers after the robbery to perform rituals to “cleanse” the group from the evil of their actions. Just thinking about it sends chills down the spine.
Zuma also tried to pull off a bizarre defense during the trial. He claimed to be the son of former President Jacob Zuma and insisted that he was being unfairly targeted.
But the court wasn’t buying it. The evidence was too strong, and his claims were quickly dismissed.
Investigations later showed that the group didn’t act alone. They had links with people from Lesotho, adding another layer of premeditation to the whole crime.
Justice finally served
Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, the provincial police commissioner, gave credit to the investigating team and the NPA.
She praised them for their hard work and said that justice had finally been served for Piet Els and his family.
It’s a heartbreaking case, but this sentencing might offer a small piece of comfort to those who loved Els and his partner.
