Joy, curses as killer jailed

Ntokozo Hadebe was yesterday given nine life sentences for the murder, rape and kidnapping of three Diepsloot toddlers.

The Pretoria High Court described his actions as "possibly even worse than an animal's".

The court gave him a life term for each of the murders of the three children, six life terms for raping them and 15 years' imprisonment on three counts of kidnapping. The sentences will run concurrently. On Tuesday, Hadebe, 29, was found guilty of kidnapping, raping and murdering Anelisa Mkhonto, 5, in September last year and, a month later, of cousins Yonelisa Mali, 2, and Zandile Mali, 3.

Hadebe said "f *** you" to Judge Nico Coetzee as he was led to the holding cells. Coetzee had said society demanded harsh punishment for Hadebe.

Outside court, Mkhonto's grandmother, Bongiwe Mcubuse, said she was pleased the case was over. "I don't know what to liken that man with. He is a beast, an animal," she said.

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the sentence.

"Hopefully, it will have a deterrent effect to would-be offenders," NPA spokesman Nathi Mncube said outside the court.