/ 1 January 2002

Bruma lake serial killers get life in prison

Multiple life sentences were handed down in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday for Bruma Lake serial killers Simon Majola and Themba Nkosi.

The two killed eight men during the period April 29, 2000 to February 7, 2001 and dumped all the corpses in Bruma Lake.

Majola (34) was sentenced to eight life sentences and 422 years in jail while his co-accused, Themba Nkosi (22) got five life sentences and 255 years in jail.

The two men showed no emotion as Justice Joop Labuschagne handed down sentence.

They were found guilty on a total of 37 charges last week, including eight counts of murder, 19 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and 18 other charges.

Nkosi and Majola preyed on motorists and others at Rhodes Park, Kensington, and were also charged in connection with all the corpses found when Bruma Lake was dragged and drained early last year.

The majority of the crimes as described in the indictment appeared to have been motivated by robbery. Stolen items included cars, cellphones, jewellery, and more unusual items such as a pair of trousers, shoes and building plans.

It appears that two different firearms were used in the crimes. – Sapa