The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Johannesburg sentenced a gardener, Pardon Danhire (37), to 25 years for each of the murders of a woman, Nadine Terblanche and her son, Ruandre Voster.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in a statement on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, said Danhire was sentenced after entering into a plea and sentence agreement with the State.
The sentences were ordered to run concurrently. The court further ordered that five years of his sentence be suspended, on condition that he truthfully testifies against his co-accused Frederick Stapelberg, whose trial is set for 25 March 2025.
The court deviated from imposing the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment, citing that Danhire cooperated with the state and took responsibility for his actions, thereby showing remorse.
Danhire had worked as a gardener, hired by Stapelberg, who later, allegedly contracted him with a promise of R100 000 in payment, to kill his girlfriend Terblanche, and her son.
The deceased lifeless bodies were discovered by a local security company on 27 November 2023, after they were summoned to the scene through a panic button that was allegedly pressed by Stapelberg, following an alleged physical altercation with Danhire about the money he was promised after killing the deceased.
Subsequent to his arrest, Danhire confessed to authorities and fingered Stapelberg (accused 2), as the person who hired him to kill Terblanche to allegedly gain access to her assets and/or money in the event of her death.
“The NPA frowns upon the senselessness killing of women and children and will now focus on the trial against Stapelberg with the aim of ensuring that justice prevails,” the statement added.