By Montsho Matlala
Ohristad-Sekhukhune – There was a sigh of relief in the Ohristad area of the Sekhukhune District this week after the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane handed down two life sentences to convicted murderer and notorious robber, Christopher Bongani Mgiba (32).
In addition to the life terms for murdering an elderly couple nearly two years ago, Mgiba received a further 46 years in prison for robbery, arson, assault, theft, and housebreaking.
“The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently with the life sentence for the murder of his former employer and her partner. Mgiba pleaded not guilty, but Advocate Calvin Chauke for the State presented compelling witness testimony,” said Limpopo NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzangi.
The court heard that Mgiba had previously been employed by victim Maria Claassen (70) near Echo Caves but was dismissed in September 2022 after stealing a safe key and making off with R10,000. In June 2023, he returned, brutally assaulted Maria to death, and set her house on fire to conceal evidence.
He then proceeded to another property, where he killed Hendrik Gerhardus Claassen (75) and torched the house with his body inside.
In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Chauke argued that Mgiba had shown no remorse, had premeditated the crimes for six months, and had deliberately targeted the vulnerable couple who had once trusted him as an employee.
The Claassens, who ran a hotel on Klipfontein Farm, were well-known in the community. Some residents expressed relief at the sentencing of the man dubbed the Echo Caves murderer.
Anah Moraba (77), a former farm worker, said:
“Murdering farmers is like committing suicide. Farmers create jobs for us to survive. We should rather learn skills from them. I am happy that this killer boy is going to rot in jail where he belongs.”
Jabu Mokone (34), an unemployed resident, added:
“The fact that we young people are hit hard by unemployment does not give us a licence to steal and kill. This man was employed but chose to kill his employers. Shame on him.”
The brutal killings shocked the community and raised fears for local tourism. At the time, Limpopo Tourism Agency CEO Moses Ngobeni urged tourists not to cancel trips to the Ohristad area, known for its scenic beauty.
Klipfontein Farm is also home to the world-renowned Echo Caves, famous for their hollow, drum-like stalactites that have become a major draw for visitors.
