Life in jail for torture, murder

Four Grahamstown men were handed life sentences for what the judge described as “one of the worst murders one can imagine” in the high court this week.

Thembani Onceya and his cousins Akhona Onceya, 30, and Simamkele Onceya, 24, along with Mzwanele Maki, 26, appeared before Judge Thembekile Malusi for sentencing on Wednesday.

Malusi said Thembani had played a leadership role in directing his three co-accused in the brutal torture and murder of Thembelani Qwakanisa, whom they accused of stealing Thembani’s laptop. The 30them year-old’s severely mutilated body was found floating in Zion Dam in Extension 6, wrapped in a carpet, on 5 October 2016.

The four were found guilty on Monday of murder acting in common purpose.

They have been in custody since 10 October 2016.

Among senior state advocate Heinz Obermeyer’s seven witnesses was forensic pathologist Dr Stuart Dwyer, whose detailed and shocking evidence featured significantly.

Dwyer found extensive and varied injuries including “multiple contusions, abrasions, fractures, lacerations and burns” on various parts of Qwakanisa’s body.

Objects including a pickaxe handle, hammer, stick and blunt panga had been used.

Qwakanisa’s teeth were extracted with pliers. His private parts were stapled and burnt with melted plastic. His arms were skinned while he was still alive. He was scalded with and forced to drink boiling water, his skull was crushed by blows to his head and his neck was broken.

Malusi said the murder had been exceptionally callous and cruel. “All manner of excruciating torment was visited on [Qwakanisa],” he said.

“The conduct of the accused is beyond the comprehension of a normal human being … His torture was especially shocking to the family.”

As shocking as the torture was, there was evidence that friends, family members and girlfriends of the men had been aware of it to varied extents, coming and going as the four took turns to assault Qwakanisa, taking breaks to smoke mandrax, drink liquor, sleep and spend time with their girlfriends.

Thembani’s blood-soaked carpet was used to wrap up the body before it was dumped.

All four applied for leave to appeal their sentences and this was granted.

Qwakanisa’s aunt Linda Gagayi said she was relieved at the sentence. “It’s better than nothing. But Tembelani is not coming back.”

His private parts were stapled and burnt ... He was ... forced to drink boiling water