Man jailed for granny's death

2007-08-23 17:59

Pietermaritzburg - Vryheid man Sibusiso Molefe, who hired a gunman to kill his grandmother because he suspected her of killing his sister through witchcraft and was told he was to be her next victim, was jailed for 20 years in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Thursday.

Molefe, 31, pleaded guilty to the murder of his 89-year-old grandmother, saying that his actions in finding and paying the gunman were spurred by his anger at her actions, fear for his life and his belief in witchcraft.

In September 2006 his sister died and his family suspected that her death was as a result of witchcraft practised by their grandmother, Moletsoso Molefe.

A family meeting was called and the grandmother was confronted about her suspected involvement in the deaths of his sister and other relatives.

'I should kill her'

He said his grandmother replied that, "more was to come and that you haven't seen much".

Molefe said he and his family were shocked at her response and he visited several traditional healers who said he would be his grandmother's next victim.

At his sister's cleansing ceremony, his family decided that his grandmother should be burnt to death, but an attempt to do so failed.

Molefe said: "Two days later another family meeting decided that I should kill her because I was going to be her next victim.

"I was reluctant to kill my grandmother and I suggested that we hire someone to kill her. I was tasked to hire a killer as I worked in Gauteng. I hired hitman Lihle Sikhakhane in Gauteng."

Molefe said he paid Sikhakhane R2 000 and his cousin Phetang Molefe contributed R1 500.

"I showed Sikhakhane my grandmother's home and he shot her inside her home. I am remorseful for my criminal actions and I am prepared to take responsibility for them," he said.

- SAPA