Möller’s murderers sentenced to 36 years
• Lengthy prison terms
Four men who have spent the past eight years behind bars for their involvement in the murder of Hans-Jörg Möller in 2016 were each sentenced to 36 years in prison by High Court Judge Dinnah Usiku on Monday.
Panduleni Gotlieb, David Tashiya, David Shekundja and Elly Hinaivali were convicted on six charges related to Möller’s murder.
They were sentenced to 26 years for murder, six years for attempted murder, one year for conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to rob, three years for housebreaking with intent to rob, as well as robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The men were also sentenced to 12 months in prison on two charges of possession of a firearm without a license.
Usiku ruled that the sentences for conspiracy, possession of a firearm, and robbery must be served concurrently with the sentence for housebreaking. Additionally, each accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm or ammunition for three years following their release.
Usiku expressed her sympathy for the Möller family, acknowledging that no length of prison terms could bring back their loved one or restore the impacts of the murder.
"The accused must be held accountable for their actions, and I have done so by imposing this sentence," she said.
Profound consequences
During her testimony during the sentencing phase, Möller's wife, Carol-Ann, spoke about the profound impact of the crime.
She said she and her late husband had been married since 12 December 2012, and had two young daughters at the time of his death.
"My husband was a sea captain who also managed a business flying tourists around and owned a company that supported our family," she said.
She argued that the loss of her husband amounted to a lifelong sentence for those responsible for his untimely death.
Möller said she was in good health before the attack on her and her family. She presented medical evidence to the court, showing that since the attack, she has faced significant financial, physical,and emotional challenges.
"I sustained serious injuries, and as a result, I am on constant medication. I no longer enjoy my life and need assistance all the time," she testified.
She also revealed that after her husband's death, the family lost their medical aid. Her children could no longer attend private schools and are now dependent on scholarships from kind-hearted Samaritans.
Panduleni Gotlieb, David Tashiya, David Shekundja and Elly Hinaivali were convicted on six charges related to Möller’s murder.
They were sentenced to 26 years for murder, six years for attempted murder, one year for conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to rob, three years for housebreaking with intent to rob, as well as robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The men were also sentenced to 12 months in prison on two charges of possession of a firearm without a license.
Usiku ruled that the sentences for conspiracy, possession of a firearm, and robbery must be served concurrently with the sentence for housebreaking. Additionally, each accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm or ammunition for three years following their release.
Usiku expressed her sympathy for the Möller family, acknowledging that no length of prison terms could bring back their loved one or restore the impacts of the murder.
"The accused must be held accountable for their actions, and I have done so by imposing this sentence," she said.
Profound consequences
During her testimony during the sentencing phase, Möller's wife, Carol-Ann, spoke about the profound impact of the crime.
She said she and her late husband had been married since 12 December 2012, and had two young daughters at the time of his death.
"My husband was a sea captain who also managed a business flying tourists around and owned a company that supported our family," she said.
She argued that the loss of her husband amounted to a lifelong sentence for those responsible for his untimely death.
Möller said she was in good health before the attack on her and her family. She presented medical evidence to the court, showing that since the attack, she has faced significant financial, physical,and emotional challenges.
"I sustained serious injuries, and as a result, I am on constant medication. I no longer enjoy my life and need assistance all the time," she testified.
She also revealed that after her husband's death, the family lost their medical aid. Her children could no longer attend private schools and are now dependent on scholarships from kind-hearted Samaritans.
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