BLOEMFONTEIN - The Free State High Court Judge Sylvia Daniso sent a clear message to a killer that no violence against women will be tolerated as she sentenced the killer to life imprisonment.

Tshediso Andries Motsoele aged 45 years was found guilty of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances after he stabbed and robbed Johanne Andriette Bisset aged 73 of her jewellery at her farm just outside Smithfield.

It was on 14 December 2020 at about 09:00 when the accused went to the victim's farm. He noticed the farm owner driving with his bike to his other farm that was close by. The accused then went to the house and noticed the 73-year-old woman leaving her house. Once in the car the accused pulled her out of the car and banged her head on a carport pole. He then stabbed her twice on her neck and took her earrings and rings amounting to R78 000-00.

The accused fled and the farm owner came back to find his wife’s lifeless body next to her car. Police were summoned to the scene and the accused was traced within four hours around Smithfield.

Police searched his house and found a blood stained blue overall with jewellery on his bed.

Outcome of forensic investigation connected the accused with the crime committed. The farm owner also managed to positively identify the earrings as the victim's.

A case of murder and robbery was assigned to Detective Warrant Officer Johannes Engelbrecht of Provincial Organized Crime.

He gathered crucial evidence that was presented before the Court that ensured that the accused was successfully convicted.

He was sentenced on 03 March 2022 as follows:

Count 1: Murder - accused sentenced to life imprisonment.

Count 2: Robbery - accused sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

Accused was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The sentencing will run concurrently.

Source: South African Police Service