Seven Accused Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms for the Murder of Kimberley Businessman

11 MARCH 2025

Seven Accused Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms for the Murder of Kimberley Businessman

Northern Cape, Kimberley – The High Court of South Africa, Northern Cape Division, sitting in Kimberley, has convicted and sentenced seven accused for the brutal murder of well-known Kimberley businessman, Piet Els. The accused Morapedi Rankali (32), Motlalentwa Qhautse (42), Lizbeth Ndlala (61), Themba Lawrence Maja (63), Oupa Jeffrey Mahomane (49), Samson Sam Mbokane (68), and Jabulani Wilson Zuma (67) faced multiple charges, including murder, housebreaking with intent to rob, robbery with aggravating circumstances, a sexual offence, and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

On 24 January 2018, the accused unlawfully broke into Carter Ridge Farm, the residence of Piet Els. They assaulted and tortured both Els and his companion before robbing them of money, gold coins, diamonds, jewellery, cameras, firearms, and Els' vehicle. Due to the severity of his injuries, Els succumbed to his wounds. A thorough police investigation led to the arrest of the accused in Kimberley, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. During the trial, the court heard that Jabulani Zuma, who claimed to be the son of former President Jacob Zuma, had recruited and transported three traditional healers and another individual to Kimberley to commit the robbery. Upon arrival, they joined a group from Lesotho. The traditional healers were allegedly brought to perform cleansing rituals for the perpetrators after the crime. In his testimony, Jabulani Zuma claimed he was being persecuted like his father for crimes he did not commit. However, the court rejected his claims.

The Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions for the Northern Cape, Advocate Johannes Cloete, argued that the accused acted with premeditation. He emphasized that this was not a random crime but a meticulously planned, cold-blooded attack. Advocate Cloete highlighted that each accused played a distinct role in the crime, from planning and execution to the escape and attempts at supernatural cover-ups. He asserted that the severity of the crime warranted the harshest possible punishment to ensure justice for Piet Els and his loved ones.

The court found the accused guilty and imposed the following sentences: Morapedi Rankali Theft: 3 years, suspended for 5 years (having already served 2 years and 3 months in custody before being granted bail), Motlalentwa Qhautse Housebreaking with intent to commit robbery: 20 years; Sexual assault: 5 years; Murder: Life imprisonment (sentences to run concurrently with life imprisonment), Lizbeth Ndlala (Traditional Healer) Housebreaking with intent and robbery with aggravating circumstances: 10 years, Themba Lawrence Maja (Traditional Healer) Housebreaking with intent and robbery with aggravating circumstances: 10 years, Oupa Jeffrey Mahomane Robbery with aggravating circumstances: 20 years; Sexual assault: 5 years; Murder: Life imprisonment (sentences to run concurrently with life imprisonment), Samson Sam Mbokane (Traditional Healer) Robbery with aggravating circumstances and housebreaking with intent: 10 years and Jabulani Wilson Zuma Housebreaking with intent and robbery with aggravating circumstances: 20 years.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) commends the prosecution team, led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Johannes Cloete, for their dedication in securing justice. The NPA also acknowledges the South African Police Service for their exceptional investigative work in ensuring the accused were brought to justice.

The NPA remains committed to vigorously prosecuting serious crimes such as murder and robberies with aggravating circumstances, which threaten the safety and well-being of our communities. Justice must be served for victims of crime.

Issued by:

Mojalefa Senokoatsane

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Northern Cape Division

Mobile: 073 423 3539

Email: MSenokoatsane@npa.gov.za