Two young men, Langanani Calvin Lishidzha (21) and Tshifhiwa Ernest Tshikota (18), both from Tshikuwi village, were sentenced to 39 years in jail for housebreaking, theft, rape and murder. The case was finalized in the Venda High Court last Wednesday.

The incident relating to the case took place at Tshikuwi Village during the night of December 31, 2004. The court heard that the accused broke into the house of the deceased, Mrs Tovhowani Masa-kona Ramabulana, during the night of the incident. Mrs Ramabulana was a 70-year-old pensioner.

At that stage, she was fast asleep. The court further heard that the accused stole R73 from Mrs Ramabulana, raped her and assaulted her to death. The deceased’s grandson paid her a visit the following morning. When he arrived at the deceased’s home, he knocked at the door several times before he became suspicious. He later called the police, who assisted him in opening the door.

After opening the door, they found the deceased lying in a pool of blood. The accused were arrested several months later. The case was remanded several times before it was finalized last Wednesday. The accused were each sentenced to nine years in prison for housebreaking and theft. They were again ordered to stay in jail for 15 years for rape. Each of them was again sentenced to another 15 years’ imprisonment for murder. The rape and murder sentences will run concurrently.

Lishidzha was represented by Adv Lucky Thomu while Adv Mbambadzeni Manwandu represented Tshikota.