Trio guilty of murdering young couple
THREE men who bludgeoned a young Mthatha couple to death last year have been found guilty of murder.
Mthatha High Court Judge Zamani Nhlangulela yesterday found Mkhululi Luwaca, 22, Bongani Dephana, 22, and Andiphile Mhlophe, 21, guilty of murdering, kidnapping and robbing with aggravating circumstances Carl George, 20, and Jacqueline Miller, 20, in May last year.
The three had pleaded not guilty on all counts.
But Nhlangulela said the state had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the three KwaLink village residents were guilty of the crimes.
George and Miller were bludgeoned to death and dumped in the Mthatha Dam.
Their belongings, which included an iPad, clothing and a car radio and speakers, were found in the three men’s possession.
During the trial, the trio claimed they were not responsible for the murders but admitted taking the belongings from the couple’s Toyota Tazz, which they claimed they had found abandoned.
During court proceedings, Luwaca, who was sentenced to 20 years for rape last month in an unrelated matter, smiled and kept eye contact with the public gallery while Mhlophe looked down.
After judgment, the George and Miller families said they were happy with the judgment and hoped that the sentencing would be equal to the crime.