Maclear pair jailed for life for killing elderly woman over her pension money

The South African Police Service's unwavering fight against contact crimes was rewarded when Mawethu Gadesweni, 29, and his co-accused, Sonwabile Kholisa, 30, were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for robbery.

"The sentences will run concurrently," said police spokesperson, Capt Khaya Tonjen.

"It is alleged that the pair robbed and killed the 79-year-old Krwalanti Skiti at the Old Location, in Maclear, on 01 July 2017. The pair stabbed her with a knife and she sustained multiple wounds.

"They robbed her of her pension money and fled the scene. She succumbed to her injuries." 

Capt Tonjeni said that Detective Const Mayile worked tireless investigating the case and following up leads until the suspects were arrested on 27 August 2017.

"He successfully opposed bail and the suspects have been in custody since the arrest," he added.

"The pair went back and forth to court until they were sentenced on the 18 September 2018 at the Grahamstown High Court.

The Provincial Commissioner of Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga has congratulated the meticulous and professional investigation by the investigator and also the collaboration between SAPS and NPA, which led to the lengthy prison term.

“The sentence is the outcome of the SAPS unwavering commitment in the fight against crimes against women and children and hard work of the investigation officer and other specialized disciplines of the SAPS together with the NPA,” she said.

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