Trio sentenced for brutal murder of elderly businesswoman

Three accused, Tumelo Mavlenter Sotho, Martatjie Engelbrecht and Nkosinathi Ntombela, were sentenced for the brutal murder and robbery of 71-year-old retired businesswoman Judith Redelinghuys. Three individuals have been sentenced for their roles in the robbery and brutal murder of Judith Redelinghuys, a 71-year-old retired businesswoman from Upington. The deceased’s body was found at her secured housing complex in Upington during the hard Covid-19 lockdown on June 30, 2020.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Northern Cape spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said she had been thrown into her swimming pool with her hands bound behind her back. “Investigations further revealed that several of her signature jewellery pieces were missing.” He indicated that the accused, Tumelo Mavlenter Sotho, 44, Martatjie Engelbrecht, 36, and Nkosinathi Ntombela, 39, were implicated in the commission of the crime through cellphone analysis. Senokoatsane said a critical breakthrough occurred when Ntombela attempted to sell one of the stolen rings to a well-known pawn shop in Upington.

“Engelbrecht informed police that the ring belonged to her. Following the arrest of Ntombela on July 3, 2020, Engelbrecht deposed to an affidavit asserting that she was the owner of the ring, which resulted in the release of Ntombela from detention.” He added that the investigating team established that the ring was exclusively designed and manufactured for the deceased in Cape Town. “Upon obtaining this evidence, Ntombela was rearrested, and Engelbrecht was subsequently arrested after further evidence revealed her deliberate involvement in misleading the investigation.

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“Further evidence showed that Sotho was employed at the same residential complex where the deceased resided. Over time, he had gained the trust of the deceased, where his familiarity with her and available access into the complex played a pivotal role in facilitating the commission of the offences.” Senokoatsane said the State, represented by Advocate Jaques Rosenberg, Advocate Simon Matsoso, and Advocate Terché Engelbrecht, led compelling evidence.

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