GEORGE NEWS - The four men accused of the murder of Heila Kilian (63) were sentenced today, Friday 22 April, in the George Circuit High Court.
The fifth accused, Xolusani Myoyi, was found not guilty last year December and acquitted of all charges against him.
Judge Lister Nuku handed down life sentences to the other four - Sakhumzi Benya, Nkoshihethu Nocuza, Msomi Nikani, and Monwabisi Maki.
In addition, they also received 54 years on various other charges. They will be eligible for parole in 25 years.
The breakdown in years of the sentencing on the other charges are as follows: three charges of robbery with aggravated circumstances (15 years each, 45 in total); illegal possession of a firearm (6 years), and one charge of illegal possession of ammunition (3 years). They were all previously acquitted on the charge of malicious damage to property.
All the accused denied having anything to do with Kilian’s murder.
The investigating officer Jerome Kleinbooi said this morning that he was pleasantly surprised by the life sentences: “I did not expect it, I am really satisfied.”
The murder
Heila Kilian was shot through the heart and died on 16 April 2018 on the farm Gazania near Stilbaai.
she was enjoying a braai with her sister Brenda and brother-in-law David Thomas during a visit to their farm.
Her family members were tied up and beaten in an ordeal that lasted two hours.
The perpetrators ransacked the house and fled in a white Toyota Hilux bakkie that belonged to the Thomases, taking an undisclosed amount of cash and firearms.
Adv Ntsoaki Mabilietse represented the state. Benya and Nocuza were represented by Adv Stoffel Prinsloo.
Att Kenneth Roberts represented Nikani, and Maki was represented by Adv Badie Badenhorst.
Previous articles:
- Sentencing starts in Heila Kilian murder
- Four found guilty of Stilbaai murder
- Judgement in Kilian murder case due in December
- Final arguments in 2018 Stilbaai murder case
- Discharge denied in murder trial
- Stilbaai murder accused in George High Court
- Farm murder: Identity parade deemed admissible
- Judge to decide about photos in court
- Plaasmoord: Identiteitsparade vandag onder vergrootglas
- Murder at farm braai: 5 in court
- Farm murder: 5 to appear in high court
- Plaasaanval: Blye weersiens word tragedie
- Stilbaai-Plaasmoord: 4 verdagtes vas
- Opvolg: Vrou sterf in plaasaanval
- Plaasaanval: Gerugte van arrestasies onwaar
- Opvolg: Vrou sterf tydens plaasaanval
- Plaasaanval buite Stilbaai: 1 dood
Investigating officer Jerome Kleinbooi said he was pleasantly surprised by the life sentences. Photo: Michelle Pienaar
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