23 years in jail for brutal murder of church couple

with his denial of participation in the commission of the crimes”.

The Qona couple were murdered by July and three others in their Alice home in 2011. Axole Tabata, Zuko Blom and Kuhle Ganto were earlier jailed for 18 years each after pleading guilty to two counts of murder.

The court heard that Qona “fought like a lion” during the attack on him and his wife, and Malusi said the murders were “especially odious”.

Both deceased had been stabbed in the most sensitive areas of their bodies with “a single-minded intention to kill”.

July’s counsel, Hendrick Erasmus, said July’s life had unravelled at a young age after he was abandoned by his mother when his father died.

He lived on the street, suffering sexual abuse and social deprivation until being taken in by friends of his late father, the Komani family from Alice. July had been under the influence of mandrax, tik and alcohol at the time of the offence and had no recollection of what had happened.

“He is not denying involvement in commission of crime but simply could not recall it because of substance abuse. I do not think he is in denial [about his role] I think he is in disbelief,” said Erasmus.

Malusi said it would not be fair to give July the same sentence as his coaccused who pleaded guilty and took the court into their confidence.

Yesterday close friends of the victims for 50 years, Presbyterian minister Adamson Mxekezo and his wife Rebecca, led family and other friends who witnessed the sentencing.

Mxekezo and Qona had studied theology together in Alice in the early ’60s.

He described Qona as “a very clever, jocular fellow” with a great love of all forms of music.

Mxekezo said their deaths

had devastated the community of especially elderly residents.

“People no longer feel safe. If you go to someone’s house after dark, most people won’t open up for you.

“It used to be a very quiet area but we are now living in fear.”

Qona family spokesman Pakhi Hobongwana said the family was happy the case had reached finality.

“We must regroup now as a family and together with the Alice community embrace the appropriate cleansing ceremonies through prayers and church services,” he said. —

Alice,