The North West High Court, sitting at the Klerksdorp Regional Court, sentenced Quinton Brits (38) and Mabote Ernest Lishea (31) to two life imprisonment for the murder of the elderly couple in their shop in Christiana. 

They were also sentenced to five years for housebreaking with intent to steal and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The daughter of the deceased, Helen da Silva, says they are pleased with the sentencing of the two suspects. Da Silva told OFM News that although the sentencing of the men won't bring back her parents she is nevertheless relieved and hopes that the suspects will feel the pain the family went through during the ordeal.

In 2021, OFM reported that Diniz Fernandes Da Silva (74)  and his wife, Maria Goretta Da Silva (71), were found dead in their store. The police spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone, at the time, revealed that the couple's bodies were found in the early hours of the morning by a customer.

The National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, said the men were arrested after being linked to the crime.

"Following an alert to the police they found the place to be in disarray, with the husband tied up with cable ties. There was dried blood on the couple and the money tills were opened. The daughter of the deceased later came and confirmed the cell phones and money to be missing. Post-mortem reports revealed that the woman died as a result of strangulation, while the man died as a result of coronary artery disease," Mamothame added. 

Police investigations led them to the arrest of Brits on 1 September 2020, at Jan Kempdorp, and some items were found on him and later identified by the daughter of the deceased as stolen.

"Brits subsequently took the police to a house in Christiana, where the loot was shared. On 3 September 2020, Leshea, a Lesotho national, was arrested at Durban Deep near Roodepoort in Gauteng."

Both suspects pleaded not guilty.

In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Adv Kgalalelo Molefe, urged the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment on each of the counts of murder.

Mamothame said Molefe urged the court to consider the seriousness of the offence as the victims were elderly people and further pleaded that it impose a sentence that would serve as a deterrent.

Following the argument by Molefe Judge Samkelo Gura agreed with the state and imposed a double life imprisonment and 20 years for each accused.

"The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, together with the Provincial Commissioner, Sello Kwena, lauded Molefe, Diphokwana, and other roleplayers for their collaboration in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book." 

OFM News