Cape Town – Two men, Thomas Reuben Tivane and Kenneth Mashego, both aged 50 and originating from Etwatwa in Gauteng, have been sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and house robbery by the High Court in Mpumalanga, Delmas.
The crimes were committed two years ago on a farm in Sundra, Mpumalanga.
“The court heard how on that dreadful day, the two entered the farm holdings at about 10h45 am and attacked Chantel Kershaw (44) who had just arrived from town.
“According to the report, two men armed with a firearm found Kershaw as well as an employee, Themba Moses Masuku loading some equipment taken for a service, into a white Chevrolet bakkie,” police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said.
The attackers, armed with a firearm, tied up Masuku and proceeded to assault Kershaw’s mother, who was 65 years old at the time, before locking her in a room.
Two men from Etwatwa in Gauteng, Thomas Reuben Tivane and Kenneth Mashego, both aged 50, have been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted for murder and house robbery. Pictures: SAPS
They also locked a domestic worker in the bathroom and stole mobile phones and tablets. They then fled the scene in a stolen Chevrolet bakkie.
A high-speed chase ensued, leading to the robbers’ arrest when their stolen vehicle overturned.
Tragically, Kershaw was found half-naked and strangled to death at the farm.
The investigation revealed that Masuku was an accomplice in the attack, and he was subsequently arrested and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Tivane was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and an additional 20 years for robbery, while Mashego received a life sentence for murder and 15 years for robbery.
The provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, commended the swift arrest and collaboration among law enforcement agencies and hopes that this sentence will deter other perpetrators.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
