The wheels of justice have turned against a serial offender who will now serve a further three life terms for the double rape and murders of two sisters – Siyamthanda and Cordelia Koli – committed at Willowvale, Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape. 

This week, the High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division, Mthatha, sentenced Thando Mgqobozi, 30, to three life imprisonment terms for two counts of murder and rape, as well as 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances plus five years for kidnapping. 

The heinous crimes, in which the accused tied his victims up and left their lifeless bodies in a forest near their home, occurred a decade ago, confirmed National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali. 

Tyali said Mgqobozi was sentenced for the murders and rapes, while he was serving another life term for a separate murder and robbery, he had committed while out on bail.

“The sentences are as a result of the conviction for crimes committed against two sisters 10 years ago by Mgqobozi, who is serving a life term for murder and robbery he committed while out on bail. While still in custody awaiting trial for the case for which he was sentenced (this week), he was sentenced for another crime of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm that he committed before his arrest,” said Tyali.

The bodies of the sisters, aged 12 and 16, were found on December 2, 2015, in a forest near their home in Lower Nqadu, Willowvale.

“They were half naked, with multiple stab wounds, and their hands were tied with a belt. The discovery was reported to the police, and information was received that they were last seen in the company of Mgqobozi, after they had been attending a traditional ceremony the previous night. The cellular phone of the deceased, Cordelia, was discovered at Mgqobozi’s place of residence. He was arrested on the same day, and DNA samples taken from him positively placed him at the scene of the crime.

“When the matter went to trial in 2017, Mgqobozi employed delaying tactics, including changing attorneys twice. On 24 March 2021, the Mthatha High Court granted him R1,500 bail as the trial dragged while he was an awaiting trial inmate for five years since his arrest. Less than three months after his warrant of liberation was signed, Mgqobozi committed four serious offences, including robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, for which he was convicted on 19 October 2023,” said Tyali.

During the trial, despite the overwhelming evidence mounted against Mgqobozi, he maintained his innocence but exercised his right to remain silent, said Tyali. 

State Advocate Mbulelo Nyendwana presented overwhelming evidence against the accused. 

Delivering the judgment on sentence, Judge Mbulelo Jolwana noted that Mgqobozi had not expressed any remorse at all.

“There is absolutely nothing on which anyone can have any valid hope that there could possibly be a chance that he can be rehabilitated. He is just a hardened, cowardly criminal who sees nothing wrong with brutalising young girls for personal sexual gratification and the twisted joy in murdering his victims to hide his criminal conduct,” Judge Jolwana said.

Welcoming the sentence, the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, praised the prosecution team and all role players involved in bringing the matter to a close.

“This was a senseless and brutal act of violence that devastated innocent young girls and their family. The fact that the accused will begin this sentence after completing his current life term is a demonstration of the seriousness with which our courts view such crimes,” said Madolo.

chevon.booysen@inl.co.za

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