Onthatile Sebati, a woman from Pretoria, was recently sentenced to 25 years imprisonment amid shocking circumstances. She was convicted for the k!lling of her very own parents, her pregnant sister, and her toddler brother back in 2016.
The tragedy was carried out with the aid of her two 18-year-old cousins, Tumelo and Kagiso Mokone, who received life sentences.
Onthatile Sebati
The heinous crime left a deep mark of sadness and has been referred to as “profound betrayal,” especially given that Onthatile was merely 15 years old during the incident. The fact that she was an active participant in the execution of her very own family members magnifies the cruelty of the crime, as pointed out by Judge Mashudu Munzhelele.
Onthatile’s role was not passive; she orchestrated the killings and involved her cousins, providing access to her family home and her father’s firearm. The family was allegedly murdered for financial gain, with her cousins receiving a payment of R100,000 from insurance payouts.
Onthatile Sebati, in court
The full extent of the crime was only revealed five years later when Onthatile confessed to her family members. The charges brought against the trio included theft, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and illegal firearm and ammunition possession. They were found guilty earlier this year.
The traumatic event has left the Sebati family with lasting emotional wounds—many relatives are now grappling with mental health issues resulting from the shock. In response to the final sentencing, Onthatile’s aunt, Japhitaline Sebati, expressed hope in the justice system and wished for Onthatile’s rehabilitation.
