A man who murdered seven members of the same family during a gruesome arson attack at Mashau-Mathothwe in February was given seven life sentences in the Thohoyandou High Court on Friday.

Ndidzulafhi Sihkwetha (24) appeared before Judge Godfrey Hetisani on seven counts of murder and the assault of his former girlfriend, Winnie Netshifhefhe (21). Sikhwetha was given seven life sentences for the murders and five years’ imprisonment for assault.

The court heard that Sikhwetha had the intention of killing his former girlfriend, but she was not at the scene when he torched the mud hut on February 5 this year. Sikhwetha bought petrol from one of the Thohoyandou filling stations, which he used to burn the hut because his lover had allegedly jilted him.

The door of the mud hut was allegedly tied to the roof with a steel wire and rope to prevent the victims from escaping. The victims of the gruesome arson attack were Khakhu Makananise (70), Nancy Mudau (39), Rendani Makananise (21), Tsakani Ndobe (17), Khuthadzo Mudau (7), Rolivhuwa Mutswana (4) and Aluwani Rabinda (2). The only person who survived the arson attack was a 14-year-old boy, Bertas Ndove, who was watching television in the neighbour’s house.

The victims screamed for assistance until neighbours heard their cries and went closer to the hut, but the blaze was so strong that it was impossible to save them, as the roof of the burning hut had already fallen in.

Sikhwetha was arrested following a tip-off from family members and the Mashau community. Sikhwetha’s former girlfriend, Winne Netshifhefhe, told the court that she jilted him because he was abusive and he used to assault her for no apparent reason. She said Sikhwetha insisted on continuing with their relationship, but she refused because she was tired of his unacceptable behaviour. She ended up securing a protection order against him.

When handing down the sentence, Judge Godfrey Hetisani said Sikhwetha deserves a heavy sentence because what he did was cruelty at its worst. The judge added that the sentence would be a warning to other would-be criminals who do not have respect for human life.

Winnie’s mother, Witness Mudau, said she was satisfied with the heavy sentence handed out by the court. “Although our family members cannot come back, we are happy that justice has been done.”