Ex-PO staffer’s life plea deal

Former post office worker Luyanda Botha will serve life in prison for the rape and murder of Uyinene Mrwetyana in terms of a plea and sentencing agreement heard in the Western Cape High Court yesterday.

The court heard that Botha had pleaded guilty to raping and killing University of Cape Town (UCT) student Mrwetyana earlier this year.

According to the agreement, Botha will serve a life sentence for murder, two life sentences on both counts of rape and five years for defeating the ends of justice. The five-year sentence will run concurrently. He will not be eligible for parole for 25 years.

Judge Gayaat Salie-Hlophe confirmed the sentence.

Standing in the dock for a pre-trial hearing yesterday, Botha said he understood the charges.

“The state has consulted with the parents and family of the deceased fully and I have explained in great detail the contents of the document and the processes to be followed,” said state prosecutor advocate Rodney de Kock.

Mrwetyana’s family were in court for proceedings, including the graphic details of Botha’s plea.

Botha was charged with twice raping 19-year-old Mrwetyana, a first-year UCT student, before bludgeoning her to death on August 24. According to the state’s summary of facts, her body was hidden in the Clareinch Post Office safe in Claremont, Cape Town, overnight before being taken to Lingelethu West the next day, where Botha doused it with an accelerant and set it alight.

He also faced a charge of defeating or obstructing the ends of justice.

Botha, according to the state, made a confession and pointed out the crime scene.

Botha met Mrwetyana about two weeks before her murder when she enquired about a parcel. – News24 Wire