The Thohoyandou High Court, sitting at Waterval, sentenced mass murderer Enoch Ndou (56) to life imprisonment on Friday (14 March). The life sentence will run concurrently with an additional 90 years imposed for the murders of six other victims.
Ndou was arrested after the Christmas Day 2021 incident in which he shot and killed seven members of his family in Jim Jones, outside Malamulele. The killings were triggered by a dispute over the inheritance of a house left by his late father.
Throughout the trial, Ndou wore the same clothes he was wearing when he handed himself over to the police. He did not testify.
As Judge Thogomelani Tshidada delivered the verdict, Ndou attempted to interrupt proceedings. However, this did not deter the judge.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Tshidada noted that Ndou had shown no remorse and that the tragedy could have been avoided, had he sought legal recourse instead. He added that Ndou had never attempted to apologise to the victims' family.
Ndou was sentenced as follows:
* Life imprisonment for the murder of Mpho Donald Ndou (33).
* 15 years' imprisonment for each of the murders of Ndivhuwo Douglas Ndou (33), Portia Mabasa (37), Rendani Winnus Ndou (12), Wanga Ndou (1), Ronewa Ndou (4), and Dakalo Makondo Ndou (8), who died on her way to hospital.
The sentencing was not without drama. Ndou banged on the table and shouted, "Who is not an orphan?" while also criticising the South African judiciary.
The victims' family expressed disappointment, saying the sentence was not sufficient for someone who had killed so many people.
News of Ndou's sentencing spread rapidly on social media, with former university classmates at the University of Venda recalling his behaviour in the early 2000s. Some said they had only realised it was him after the verdict had been announced.
"We strongly blame those who licensed him to own a gun. Ndou was always a loner who acted strangely. He was even given nicknames like 'Vho Bommbo Yowa', referring to the bicycle he used. I do not think a thorough check was done before he was declared fit to carry a firearm," said a former student.