Krugersdorp killers: Murderous trio handed multiple life terms

Justice served for the victims of the Krugersdorp Killers.

The Gauteng High Court has given the three murder-accused, dubbed as the ‘Krugersdorp Killers’, multiple life sentences for their direct involvement in a string of murders that took place in the Johannesburg town between 2012 and 2016.

Krugersdorp Killers: On what grounds were they found guilty?

Based on witness testimony and files of evidence that was submitted by the State, Cecilia Steyn, together with Zak Valentine and Marcel Steyn, were part of the Electus Per Deus occult group that went on a killing rampage in Krugersdorp, claiming 11 innocent lives.

Marinda Steyn — believed to be the matriarch of the Krugersdorp Killers — and her son, Le Roux, pleaded no contest to the charges levelled against them and they gladly accepted their 11-life-term sentence.

What started out as a quarrel between the Steyns and the leadership of the Overcomers Through Christ church ended in bloodshed which was orchestrated by Marinda and her children.

Cecilia, Valentine and Marcel pleaded not guilty on 32 charges which included, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, fraud and intimidation.

However, after an airtight case presented by the State, the courts found the Krugersdorp Killers trio guilty on all counts and on Monday, they learned of the respective sentences they were each going to spend in jail.

How many life sentences did each member get?

Cecilia Steyn

Seeing that the 38-year-old was the most brazen of the Krugersdorp Killers, she was given a total of 13 life sentences, with no possibility of ever being granted parole.

Zak Valentine

For his direct involvement in the murder spree and subsequent robberies, Valentine was given a total of eight life sentences.

Marcel Steyn

The daughter, the court ruled, was very much involved in the murder spree as well. The courts gave her a total of seven life sentences.

Why Marcel Steyn got the least number of life sentences

The involvement of Marcel in the murder became a fixture of debate during the trial. Her sentencing also required a bit more focus since it was believed that the 21-year-old was brainwashed by her aunt, Cecilia, into becoming part of the Krugersdorp Killers.

During the mitigation of sentencing, Marcel’s legal representative, Sharon Johnson, argued that the 21-year-old’s actions could be lent to the fact that she was under the spell of Cecilia.

The courts, it appears, have disagreed with this notion. The highly-intelligent girl that matriculated with six distinctions had the capacity to understand what she had gotten herself into.

Every opportunity she had gotten to report her family, she ignored and instead, continued on with the rampage the Steyns set on the people of Krugersdorp in those bloody four years.

There has not been an indication, as yet, if any of the three convicted murderers will appeal the sentence.