MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR COUSIN’S RAPE AND MURDER
The High Court of South Africa: Western Cape Division has sentenced rapist and murderer, Andrew Moseadie, to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of his cousin, Christel Margaret Moseadie. The State alleged and proved that the deceased was last seen by her sister, Shireen Martinus, on 05 November 2019 in the company of the accused.
Martinus looked for her sister for the next two days with the accused insisting that the deceased went to work and had not returned. Despite his explanations, the deceased’s family gathered at her house and eventually gained access where they discovered her body on the floor.The accused was arrested on 07 November 2019 and later convicted on charges of rape, murder, and theft.
During the trial one of the witnesses called by State Adv Mbulelo Koti told the court that the accused sold her a cellphone and shoes. Adv Koti confirmed that the deceased and the accused were cousins who shared the house on 7063 Peteresen Street, Hout Bay.
Dr Taylor who conducted the post-mortem told the court that the deceased died of strangulation, and it was a painful death as the accused pulled and loosened the knot around her neck. It took 15 minutes for her to die. She had internal injuries and defensive wounds.
Victim impact reports drafted by high court Court Preparation Officer, Sophie Petlele, showed that the deceased’s family still have her memories and were traumatised
Arguing for a sentence fitting the crime, Adv Koti said: “In evaluating an appropriate sentence, the court is required to have regard for the main purpose of punishment, namely its deterrent, preventive, reform, and retributive aspects. It is the state submission that the retributive object of sentencing must get preference above the object of rehabilitation in the sense that the accused is convicted of serious crimes.”
He said the crimes committed by the accused were serious and that he was not a first offender. “The killing of the deceased is one of the countless examples of the scourge of violence against women and children in South Africa. He does not respect women, has not shown any remorse. They were cousins and was supposed to protect and defend the deceased but instead he attacked and raped her.”
He concluded that the manner the accused raped and killed the deceased warranted the court to impose life imprisonment. The court agreed and sentenced Moseadie to 20 years imprisonment for rape, life imprisonment for murder and 6 months imprisonment for theft. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently effectively sentencing the accused to life imprisonment.
Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Nicolette Bell, applauded the investigating and prosecution team for a job well done in ensuring that the accused received a sentence fitting the crime. She further applauded and encouraged the witnesses who came forward to assist in the successful prosecution.
