POLOWKANE – The MEC for Social Development, Dr Dickson Masemola said the murders of Lizette and Hettie Deacon placed the spotlight firmly on the unnecessary violence against vulnerable groups of society, especially women and children.
Masemola’s remarks follow the sentencing of Lazarus Mahlo to 22 years imprisonment in the Limpopo High Court: Polokwane Division on Tuesday (August 2) after he pleaded guilty to one charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances, as well as two counts of murder.
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“It is significant that this sentence comes during the commemoration of Women’s Month – a month in which we usually celebrate the strides made by women, but during which we now have to redouble our efforts against GBVF, a second pandemic that is continuing to ravage South African communities,” he said.
Mahlo, made a plea agreement with the state and will turn state witness and testify against Sophie Mmako and Casper Mudau when they return to the high court from January 16-27, 2023.
Advocate Kobus Jacobs, in aggravation of sentence, said Hettie and Lizette’s deaths could have been avoided and the deceased’s family lost a mother, wife, daughter, grandmother and members of their family who played a very important role in their lives. He added the offences emanated from greed.
Masemola applauded the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority for their committed investigation and prosecution efforts.
“We want to encourage them to display the same vigorous energy in every single case of GBVF they come across and we hope this sentencing will bring some closure to the Deacons’ loved ones,” he said.
