Three men who bru.tally mur.dered a University of Fort Hare (UFH) couple in Hogsback two years ago have received lengthy prison sentences for their crimes.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said that the High Court of South Africa, sitting in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape, sentenced Silindokuhle Mangali, 22, Sakhele Limba, 34, and Wanda Limba, 30, to seven life sentences.
They were convicted of murdering Judith Masters, 67, and Fabien Genin, 51, a prominent academic couple.
On September 30, 2022, the couple was attacked in their own house.
NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali explained the case’s merits, stating that the accused broke into the couple’s home.
“They assaulted and stabbed Genin, tied him up, and removed Masters’ lower clothing, exposing her,” Tyali told the reporter.
“Mangali then raped Masters with his co-accused’s assistance before they strangled her to death.”
Tyali stated that a post-mortem investigation revealed the extent of the victims’ injuries, which included severe brain damage and manual strangling.
According to the NPA, during the court proceedings, State Advocate Andile Nohiya argued that the court should give a large term, emphasizing the brutality and seriousness of the offenses committed.
“He said the accused’s actions demonstrate a shocking disregard for human life and dignity and that their crimes had left an indelible mark on the community, and it is imperative that justice is served,” Tyali told me.
According to the NPA, Mangali received three life sentences and twenty years, while Sakhele and Wanda each received two life sentences and twenty years.
Barry Madolo, Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape, hailed the sentencing, describing it as a great triumph for justice.
“This sentence serves as a powerful deterrent to would-be offenders and reassures the community that justice will be served.”
