Former Bank of Athens’ treasurer Vincenzo Pietropaolo has been handed two life sentences for killing his father, Pasqualino, and his wife, Manuela (Mannie).
He was sentenced on March 15 in the South Gauteng High Court.
He was also sentenced to 15 years for being in possession of firearms without licences, five years for being in possession of ammunition without a licence, three years for firing an unlicensed firearm and another three years for attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng called Pietropaolo inherently evil, a pathological liar and never in 50 years has he seen such cruelty, referring to Mannie’s murder.
The judge also said that it was Pietropaolo who played the court and the justice system to delay this process.
The family is relieved that it is over and that the healing process can begin.
“While we are happy with the sentence, we will never forget the pain and trauma he has caused us. As Optimistic Bikers against Abuse, we would like to add that it has been a long journey and we were privileged to walk beside Mannie’s loved ones through this. Our hope and prayer for them are that they find some closure and healing now and we wish them well on that journey. May her light always shine on through her loved ones,” said Celeste Louw from Optimistic Bikers Against Rape and Abuse.
Two murders
Pietropaolo murdered his father, Pasqualino, in his sleep in March 2017 and on November 13 that same year, he shot his estranged wife, Mannie, nine times at her home in Iris Street in Brackenhurst.
Ballistics have shown the gun used to kill Mannie was reportedly missing from the house of Pasqualino on the day he was murdered.
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The couple was married but had been separated for three years before her death. Manuela was in the process of divorcing her husband when she was shot.
Pietropaolo claimed he was dropping off documents at Manuela’s house when she called him to the front door and, according to Pietropaolo, there was an argument and he was provoked by an emotional storm started by Manuela. That was when he discharged his firearm.
A vehicle-tracking expert who investigated the matter testified on February 22, 2019, that according to Pietropaolo’s car tracking system, he took less than three minutes to shoot his estranged wife. His vehicle had been travelling near Manuela’s home for an hour before finally pulling up in front of her home at about 9.18pm.
ALSO READ: Evidence from a car tracking company places Pietropaolo at the scene
After the shooting, the car began moving again and sped off from the house. He was arrested later that evening at his home in Blairgowrie.
Police spokesperson Sgt Lindie Moloi told the RECORD in 2017 that two firearms were recovered from Pietropaolo’s home.
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