The Free State High Court has handed down a life sentence to each of the two men found guilty of the murder of Pieter Hills (56) and his son Eddie (26) on the farm Zwartpan in the Hennenman district on 5 November 2020.
Acting Judge Anthia Ramos also sentenced Tshidiso Bochedi (38) and Mojalefa Modise (40) to five years’ imprisonment each for housebreaking and burglary with aggravating circumstances on Friday (17/02).
According to evidence gathered, four men went to the farm with the intention of stealing sheep.
They, however, decided to rob the family instead when they could not find any sheep, said Phaladi Shuping, provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
They stabbed Pieter several times and shot Eddie before demanding the keys to the safe.
“Pieter died moments later at the scene, and Eddie was transported to hospital – but he succumbed to his injuries few days later.”
One suspect became a state witness, while another was found hanging in his cell a day after their arrest.
“Bochedi and Modise both pleaded not guilty, but after the prosecution had led evidence of seven witnesses, they made admissions that changed their pleas to guilty,” said Shuping.
