Two men jailed for murdering 71-year-old farmer, and attempting to flee to Lesotho with his car

The Koster Regional Court in North West has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of 71-year-old farmer, Ephraim Diloro.

Provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Sivenathi Gunya said Wahasele Hazekiel Majoro, 33, and Tumelo Martin Katali, 41, were convicted of murder and theft.

Each received life imprisonment for murder and 10 years for theft, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently.

“The tragic events occurred on April 4 2022, at the victim's home in Koster. Investigations revealed that one of the accused had worked as a herd boy on the deceased’s farm. On the night of the murder, the two accused visited the victim’s home, where they initially borrowed R200 from him,” said Gunya.

Majoro and Katali then demanded more money, and when Diloro refused, they strangled him to death.

After the brutal murder, Majoro and Katali stole Diloro’s bakkie and attempted to flee to Lesotho.

At the Lesotho border post, alert police officers stopped the stolen vehicle occupied by Majoro and Katali. Upon inspection, police officers discovered that the bakkie appeared to be stolen.

“Attempts to bribe the officers failed, and further investigations confirmed the vehicle belonged to the deceased. The accused were arrested and linked to the murder through further evidence,” said Gunya.

During sentencing, State prosecutor Sangweni Zimema argued against any deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence, citing the prevalence of farm murders in the district.

Magistrate Segakweng Moeng, in his judgment, emphasised the court’s duty to protect vulnerable members of society.

He noted that the two accused acted in common purpose, committing a heinous crime against an elderly man.

Meanwhile, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari has commended the investigative and prosecution teams.

“This sentence sends a strong message to would-be offenders that justice will prevail, and those who commit such crimes will face the full might of the law."

IOL