Trio sentenced for brutal murder of elderly businesswoman

Three individuals have been sentenced for their roles in the robbery and brutal murder of Judith Redelinghuys, a 71-year-old retired businesswoman from Upington.

The deceased’s body was found at her secured housing complex in Upington during the hard Covid-19 lockdown on June 30, 2020.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Northern Cape spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said she had been thrown into her swimming pool with her hands bound behind her back.

"Investigations further revealed that several of her signature jewellery pieces were missing."

He indicated that the accused, Tumelo Mavlenter Sotho, 44, Martatjie Engelbrecht, 36, and Nkosinathi Ntombela, 39, were implicated in the commission of the crime through cellphone analysis.  

Senokoatsane said a critical breakthrough occurred when Ntombela attempted to sell one of the stolen rings to a well-known pawn shop in Upington.

"Engelbrecht informed police that the ring belonged to her. Following the arrest of Ntombela on July 3, 2020, Engelbrecht deposed to an affidavit asserting that she was the owner of the ring, which resulted in the release of Ntombela from detention." 

He added that the investigating team established that the ring was exclusively designed and manufactured for the deceased in Cape Town.

"Upon obtaining this evidence, Ntombela was rearrested, and Engelbrecht was subsequently arrested after further evidence revealed her deliberate involvement in misleading the investigation.

"Further evidence showed that Sotho was employed at the same residential complex where the deceased resided. Over time, he had gained the trust of the deceased, where his familiarity with her and available access into the complex played a pivotal role in facilitating the commission of the offences." 

Senokoatsane said the State, represented by Advocate Jaques Rosenberg, Advocate Simon Matsoso, and Advocate Terché Engelbrecht, led compelling evidence.

"The accused were placed in the vicinity of the deceased’s residence at the time of the commission of the crime.

"The State successfully opposed bail, and all three accused remained in custody throughout the duration of the trial." 

He stated that in aggravation of sentence, the State submitted that the accused were motivated by greed and the belief that the deceased kept large sums of money at her home.

"Engelbrecht directed investigators on a false trail to Cape Town, attempted to recruit an innocent person to corroborate her false version, and concealed evidence by relocating jewellery to Sotho’s residence." 

He stated that the Northern Cape High Court, sitting in the Upington circuit court, acknowledged the absence of remorse, particularly on the part of Sotho, who knew the deceased and the fact that the offences were driven by greed.

Sotho and Ntombela were sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances and life imprisonment for premeditated murder.

The court ordered that the robbery sentences run concurrently. Engelbrecht was sentenced to five years' direct imprisonment for being an accessory after the fact. 

She was acquitted on the charge of defeating the ends of justice. All three accused were declared unfit to possess firearms.

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus