Farm murderers handed ‘joint’ 140-year jail-term for gruesome murder

The Bloemfontein High Court has handed down a total of 140 years-imprisonment to four suspects convicted in gruesome murder of the farm owner, Isak Jakobus van den Berg (67) and his wife, Ina (62).

This sentence comes after the High Court convicted the four accused on 25 January, for murder of a couple in their farm in Blouwboswes.

Between 12 and 13 July 2019, the accused entered the farm where they attacked the couple and tied them up.

They ransacked the farmhouse and stole four firearms, marathon medals, old coins as well as other valuables.

They brutally assaulted them and fatally shot at them, afterwards, they then fled the scene with the couple’s Ford Ranger bakkie.
  
The incident prompted an investigation by the Bloemfontein based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team.

Three days later, the accused were arrested by the Hawks, while they were on verge of crossing the border to Lesotho.
 
“They were charged and they have been kept in custody throughout the trial. The High Court found them guilty on charges of two counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition,” revealed Hawks warrant officer Bonnie Nxumalo.

The three accused were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances whereas Thamsanqa Terrence Kat was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.

Daniel Tsekiso Seloane was also sentenced to 15 years each for two counts of illegal possession of firearm as well as one count of illegal possession of ammunition.

Kat also received 15 years for each count of illegal possession of firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.

Nxumalo, during the arrest, Seloane was found with two firearms, Taurus pistol and .38 revolver and ammunitions in his possession.

Whereas, Kat was found with a 38 revolver and ammunition in his possession.

The High Court found them guilty on charges of two counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.