Smiling, with tears rolling down their cheeks, one by one the relatives of 13 women murdered by Umzinto serial killer Thozamile Taki hugged the investigating officer in the case after the murderer was handed multiple life sentences in the Durban High Court yesterday.
Taki was convicted of the women’s murders and of 13 counts of armed robbery in December.
He had lured the women with the promise of jobs and then killed and robbed them.
Handing down sentence on Wednesday, Judge King Ndlovu praised the task team which cracked the case.
“I want to commend all the police officers who worked on this case, especially the team led by investigating officer Captain Nico Crouse and Campbell Nyuswa. They did a splendid investigation. This is how detective work should be done.”
Ndlovu gave Taki a life sentence for each murder and 16 years for each count of armed robbery, with all sentences to run concurrently.
He added that Taki could not be rehabilitated and should spend the rest of his life behind bars.
“His presence outside prison would pose a danger to any woman and I believe that if he had not been caught in 2007, he would have continued with his killing spree. Therefore, it is my intention with this sentence that he spends the rest of his life in prison. I hope that the Correctional Services Department takes cognisance of my intention and refrains from ever letting him out on parole.”
The judge noted that Taki had shown no remorse.
“When he lured these women, he was charming and kind, a real jackal in sheep’s clothing. But in court, I watched as he smiled when state witnesses cried. He was callous and insensitive, and demonstrated no remorse for his wicked acts.”
Judge Ndlovu denied Taki leave to appeal against his conviction and sentence.
Relatives of the victims were also fulsome in their praise for Crouse and his team, of the Port Shepstone organised crime unit. Samkelisiwe Mpanza, whose sisters Philisiwe, 21, and Nonjabulo Mpanza, 27, were killed, said the police had been “excellent”.
“I hugged Crouse because I wanted to thank him for all that he has done.
“I appreciated it because they did their best. I am happy that it is over, even though taxpayers will be funding Taki’s stay in prison.”
Bongi Mgobozi, whose sister Makhosi was killed, said: “I was expecting such a sentence. I am very happy about the court decision. I cannot believe this day has come. It was a very long road. The police team were very good, especially Crouse.”
Dudu Ntetha, who was lured by Taki but survived the ordeal, said she had prayed for a lengthy sentence to be imposed.
“I have no words to describe how happy I am. I feel that I can finally get on with my life, because I had been waiting for this case to end for the past three years.”
Speaking outside court, Crouse said teamwork had been key to cracking the case.
“The officers, myself, and the prosecutor worked as a team.
“We also had amazing support from the police management, including (national commissioner) General Bheki Cele.”
Crouse said it was a “great feeling” to have the relatives thank him for doing his job.
“It is very rare to have the family come up to you and thank you. I feel good about it and I am happy that the families are pleased, because that is what we are here for: to help them,” he said.
Taki’s former girlfriend, Hlengiwe Nene, who was acquitted as an accessory to the robbery charges, said: “Taki got what he deserved.”
Nene said she would never visit Taki in prison. - The Mercury