Farm massacre: Man smiles after being found guilty!

THE Free State High Court in Bethlehem has convicted Kamohelo Motankisi of multiple serious charges.

They include seven counts of murder, armed robbery, possession of an unlicenced firearm, and two counts of sexual assault, stemming from a brutal farm attack on July 15, 2022.

Motankisi was smiling when the High Court announced that he was found guilty on all charges.

The attack resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including Binto Smith (55), her son Rhudi (17), and five farm workers.

The court heard that Motankisi and his co-accused, Lerato Selepe, entered the farmhouse through a garage door, where they found Rhudi asleep.

Motankisi allegedly instructed Selepe to stab Rhudi, after which they confronted five women who had entered the house, forcing them to undress at gunpoint.

During the pre-trial proceedings, Selepe pleaded guilty and became a state witness against Motankisi, detailing the horrific events of the attack.

He testified that Motankisi sexually assaulted the victims before killing them, using a butcher knife while threatening others with a firearm. The court was presented with evidence, including postmortem reports indicating multiple stab and gunshot wounds on the victims, which characterized the incident as a massacre.

Initially, Motankisi pleaded not guilty but later surprised the court by admitting guilt to 10 charges.

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Judge Celest Reinders found him guilty on all counts, emphasising the premeditated nature of the attack.

The prosecution presented extensive evidence, including witness testimonies and Motankisi's own admissions during the investigation, which solidified the case against him. The judge noted that the accused's actions were inhumane and showed no mercy towards the victims.

In sentencing, the defence lawyer argued for leniency, highlighting Motankisi's status as a first-time offender and a father of two, suggesting that a minimum sentence of 30 years would be appropriate for rehabilitation.

However, the state prosecutor, Advocate Antonette Ferreira, strongly opposed this, calling for a life sentence due to the brutal nature of the crimes and the trauma inflicted on the victims' families.

Family representatives expressed relief at the verdict, while police officials commended the investigative efforts that led to the convictions.

Police Spokesman Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring applauded investigating Officer Captain Alfonso Kokonyane for his outstanding job. The judgment was reserved, and the case has been postponed to Thursday, 24 October.

The court's decision reflects a commitment to justice for the victims and their families in the face of such a heinous crime.