By REGINALD KANYANE
13 March 2025- Three accused persons were sentenced to a combined 97 years imprisonment by the Northern Cape High Court sitting in Kimberley for three counts of murder, robbery, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice. On 26 July 2020, the victims, Daniel Brand (83), his wife, Breggie Brand (73), and their daughter Elsabie Brand (54), were at their residence at Plot 2M9 Farm in Magogong, near Hartswater.
They were violently attacked by the accused, Donald Mothusimang Seoloseng (25), Tsepo Visagie (43) and Tshepaone Melato (24). The victims sustained various blunt and sharp force trauma injuries to their heads and bodies.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the victims were robbed of two vehicles, a Nissan Micra and Mazda 5, three laptops, their cell phones, and a handbag with personal belongings. Shemane said they were found dead on 28 July 2020.
“The suspects were arrested by the Provincial Detectives and Hartswater K9 members, while on their way to sell the deceased personal belongings. The investigating officers, Colonel Jeffrey Kanakang and Lieutenant Colonel Basil Buys, recovered all stolen property.
“The Northern Cape High Court sitting in Kimberley, sentenced Melato, Seolesang and Visagie 43 each to 25 years imprisonment for murder, 15 years each for robbery with aggravating circumstances and 5 years each for defeating the ends if justice and 2 more years for Seoleseng, for escaping from lawful custody,” he said.
Shemane said the defeating the ends of justice and escaping from lawful custody will run concurrently with murder the robbery sentences.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, welcomed the judgment and reassured communities that crimes against the elderly remain the priority of the police in the province and will be vigorously policed and investigated.
@Taung_DailyNews
taungdailynews.com
