Man Sentenced To 25 Years For Murders Of Three Women

The High Court of South Africa: Western Cape Division sitting at the Worcester Magistrates' Court, sentenced killer Siyamcela Sobambela, to an effective 25 years imprisonment following his conviction for the murder of three women. Sobambela killed Miche Pienaar, Gizella Minnaar and Bernadine Frans in a space of two months. The court sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment for each murder. The court then ordered that 10 years imprisonment for the murder of Minaar and 10 years imprisonment for the murder of Frans must concurrently with the 15 years imprisonment for the murder of Pienaar.

Prosecutor Adv Ntsoaki Mabilietse asked the court to impose life imprisonment as the accused was convicted of very serious offences. She maintained that these deaths were highly unnecessary and they have changed the lives of the families, friends and residents in the community. The State submits that court rolls, especially in this jurisdiction are full of cases with which the accused has been found guilty, which means that the offences are prevalent in these communities.

In his guilty plea, Sobambela confessed to killing the three women in a spate of over two months after they visited his caravan, parked at Pinevalley Informal Settlement in Wolsely. He smothered Pienaar and Minaar and buried them in shallow graves not far from his caravan. The two women visited his caravan on different dates requesting his help. In both instances, he had arguments with them and suffocated them using a blanket. After he throttled Frans, he was confronted by a neighbour as he went out to get rid of her body and was later arrested by police.

Judge Lister Nuku, described Sobambela as a danger to society and that the court is obliged to sentence him to long-term imprisonment. He said the families of the deceased were still at a loss as to why he killed the deceased.  The National Prosecuting Authority( NPA) would like to congratulate the contributions and unwavering commitment that was shown by Sergeant Pieterz, Captain Chetty, Warrant Officer Dlamini and Captain Neethling for their excellent work in this case. They were very efficient and very supportive to the families of the victims.

The NPA accepts the decision of the court.

Note: The NPA’s media statements are available on the website: www.npa.gov.za

Issued by:

Eric Ntabazalila

National Prosecuting Authority

Regional Communications Manager

Western Cape

Tel: (021) 487 7308Mobile: 073 062 1222