The Winburg Regional Court in Free State has sentenced two brothers to 30 years of direct imprisonment for murder of their disable uncle for a R30 000 insurance payout.
The National Prosecuting Authority(NPA) in Free State revealed that the siblings travelled from Bloemfontein to Winburg with intention to kill their disable uncle and were accompanied by their friend which reported them to the police.
"The Winburg Regional Court has sentenced two brothers,Mojalefa(28) and Masopha Maobisa(23), to 30 years of direct imprisonment each for the premeditated murder of their uncle, 54-year-old Pule Isaac Maobisa, in a calculated scheme to fraudulently claim a funeral insurance payout.
"In August 2019, the brothers took out a R30 000 funeral policy on the life of their vulnerable and disabled uncle. Merely weeks after the first premium was paid, on 19 October 2019, they travelled from Bloemfontein to Winburg to execute their plan.
Armed with a knife, the accused forced a friend under duress to accompany them and help gain entry into the deceased's home. Once inside, they brutally stabbed their uncle 42 times, killing him instantly. A neighbour heard his desperate cries for help and alerted police, who later described the crime scene as one of the most horrific they had encountered. Following the murder, the brothers claimed the insurance payout and attempted to silence their friend by offering him money. When he tried to distance himself, they attacked him, prompting him to seek refuge and report the crime to the police," said Mojalefa Senokoatsane,NPA Regional Spokesperson,Free State Division.
The NPA mentioned that the sentencing of Maobisa's brothers was based on evidence submitted to the court by an investigating officer and the testimony of their friend.
"A meticulous investigation, led by Warrant Officer Smit, uncovered crucial evidence linking the brothers to the murder, including cellphone records, bank statements, and the fraudulent policy. The testimony of the friend, given under Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act, proved pivotal in securing the convictions. The court found both accused guilty of housebreaking with intent to murder and murder, sentencing them to 30 years of direct imprisonment.
In aggravation,Prosecutor Marlies Nel commended the bravery of the key witness and the dedication of the investigating officer, describing the crime as “premeditated, callous, and driven purely by greed.” Two Victim Impact Statements, compiled by Khantse Khosana and Rose Dube, revealed the deep emotional and psychological trauma suffered by the family and community," added Senokoatsane.