MBOMBELA – The Gauteng Pretoria High Court in Nelspruit sentenced a 22-year-old herd boy of Mganduzweni Trust who brutally attacked an elderly couple with a hammer, to an effective 30 years in prison.
The incident that shocked many, took place at Spioenkop Farm near White River on October 10, 2013. An 82-year-old man, Mr Gerhardus Petrus De Beer, was beaten to death while his wife, 80-year-old Albertina Jacoba, was also assaulted, her hands severely bruised and screws had to be inserted in her wrists after the incident.
Dr Gantcheu P Gantcheu, who did the post-mortem, testified that the body had more than 24 wounds. “A hammer, kicks and other blunt objects might have been the cause,” he said.
The accused, Mr Welcome Zenzele Bulunga pleaded guilty on all four charges namely murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. He stated that on the day, he was driving a herd of cattle near the farm when he saw a lawn mower idling next to the couple’s house. He jumped the fence to gain entry.
“I was approached by an elderly man and I picked up a hammer and assaulted him.”
He proceeded to the house where he found Albertina, assaulted her, and demanded money. “She told me they had no money as they were only pensioners,” he said.
He then stole the couple’s two firearms, two cellphones and a television set and other items.
Through his lawyer, Adv Percy Tshabalala, Bulunga told the court that he sold the cellphones to his neighbours at R100 and R70 each, and hid the firearms in an old vehicle at his sister’s place.
He was arrested days later and did the pointing out to the police. “I knew what I was doing was wrong and punishable by law, but I continued anyway. I am burning inside because of what I did.”
In passing sentence, Judge Peter Mabuse said, “The deceased died a very painful death. The accused was a strong 21-year-old man while the victim was an 82-year-old. He and his wife were attacked in the safety of their home, in their own fortress, where they were defenceless and unarmed.”
He sentenced Bulunga to 25 years for murder, 12 for robbery with aggravating circumstances, four for unlawful possession of firearms and two for the unlawful possession of ammunition. “Seven years of count two, three and four run concurrently, giving a total of 30 years in prison,” he said.
