The three-year-long trial of the two accused of their involvement in the murder of Ben Soahatse has come to an end, as the sentencing took place on August 17 in the Crime Division of the Johannesburg High Court.
At the time of his death, 80-year-old Saohatse, a resident of Brackenhurst, was reported missing in February 2017.
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Soahatse’s son, Tebogo Soahatse, was found guilty of murder as well as defeating the ends of justice. The second accused, Caroline Mokgadi, who was the wife of the deceased, was found guilty of defeating the ends of justice.
The sentencing proceedings on the day began with the state calling the niece of the deceased, Masabata Malatsi, to testify on the effect the loss of her uncle had on their family.
Malatsi testified in place of her mother who was set to testify but had died before the conclusion of the trial. She testified on the sadness that came with the loss of the close member of their family, who was especially close to her mother.
She further elaborated that the loss was felt by the community and their church. She read a letter written by her mother that contained the testimony she would have delivered which showed the sadness the family felt that there could be no proper burial for a respected man.
The State further highlighted the seriousness of the crimes and brought it to the attention of the court that only with exceptional circumstances the minimum sentence for murder could be changed.
The defence, speaking on behalf of the convicted, argued for a sentence of correctional service for Mokgadi. The reasons for this were based on the report given to the court by a correctional services officer, as well as her age.
The defence asked that the court takes into account that both of the convicted are first-time offenders. The judge did not reserve his judgment, wanting to complete the case that has taken three years. The judge pointed out that when sentencing, the court needs to take into account both the crime against the victim as well as the aims of society.
Tebogo Saohatse was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for the murder of Ben Saohatse. He was sentenced to a further three years for defeating the ends of justice after taking into account the three years that he has already been incarcerated.
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Mokgadi was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for defeating the ends of justice, with the judge reiterating the seriousness of defeating the ends of justice.
The family of Ben Saohatse expressed their satisfaction with the sentencing and expressed their wish that one day the location of Ben’s body would be known so that they could lay him to rest properly.
