Couple Sentenced to Life for Murder of 93-Year-Old
01 APRIL 2025
Couple Sentenced to Life for Murder of 93-Year-Old
A couple was sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division in Johannesburg for brutally beating a 93-year-old to death. Pranavan Moodley(32) and Samantha Moodley(34) faced charges of murder and robbery, each for the brutal murder of Yetsee Chan(93) in his home at Edenvale. Both accused were sentenced to life imprisonment for Murder, and additionally, accused one received 15 years and accused two received 12 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
While on standby on 23 September 2020, Sergeant Madimetja Maluleke of the Ekurhuleni North Trio Task Team received a call from the complainant reporting the incident. Prompting an investigation, which revealed that the complainant left his father at home to go to the bank around 10:30 am, leaving the gate open. Upon returning around 11:45 am, he found his father severely injured and tied up in the passage. The complainant immediately called their family doctor and paramedics, and the deceased was rushed to the hospital, where he died shortly after arrival. An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be severe head and cervical spine injuries, sustained during a violent assault by the accused at their home. Further investigation by the police led to a pawn shop in Benoni, where stolen items from the house were recovered, linking them to the accused.
Senior State Advocate Maro Papachristoforou presented circumstantial evidence in court, including CCTV footage, to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The footage depicted the accused entering and leaving the suburb where the deceased’s house was located while the complainant was away. The court deemed the evidence admissible, leading to the conviction of the accused.
The NPA daily prosecutes hundreds of such matters that affect the safety and well-being of our communities and ensures justice for victims of crime.
Issued by:
Phindi Mjonondwane
NPA Regional Spokesperson-
Gauteng Division, Johannesburg
0834024787/0112204245
hmjonondwane@npa.gov.za