Exclusive: Suretha Brits Sentenced to 25 Years for Masterminding Hotelier Husband's Murder

• Suretha Brits, the wife of hotelier Leon Brits, pleaded guilty to his murder at the Upington High Court
• NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane told Briefly News Suretha has been sentenced to 25 years direct imprisonment
• The trial of her two co-accused, Amatle Bareki, and Enrich Williams, will commence on 22 November

UPINGTON - Sentencing was handed down in the Upington High Court in the murder trial of Suretha Brits, the wife of slain Pofadder hotelier Leon Brits, on Monday.

Briefly News obtained exclusive insight into the matter involving Suretha and her two co-accused, Amatle Bareki and Enrich Williams, following the former's conviction.

The proceedings against the two men, who are facing murder and aggravated robbery charges, will resume in the same court on Monday, 22 November.

Briefly News understands that a third accomplice, Jacques van Vuuren, was sentenced in the Kimberley High Court earlier this year after he'd entered into a plea agreement with the State.

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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, told Briefly News that Suretha, who orchestrated the killing of her hotelier husband, took a plea deal.

"She was sentenced to 25 years direct imprisonment for the first count, that of murder, and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances," said Senokoatsane.

"The second count will run concurrently with count one. It means both sentences will [concluded] at the same time and period."

Co-accused to stand trial next week

When asked if the NPA thought the sentence was fair, Senokoatsane said the State was satisfied with the outcome. However, he was unable to give a clear response as to the prison terms facing Bareki and Williams if they are found guilty.

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"As you know, the matter has not concluded since the trial of her two co-accused will be starting on the 22 November. The NPA is satisfied with the sentence considering the charges against [Suretha]," said Senokoatsane.

"But at this stage, we can't predict what their sentences [Bareki and Williams] will be as the trial is yet to start, but we hope for the maximum sentence considering the charges against the two accused."

Plea entered into on own accord

Senokoatsane said that Suretha was not compelled into making the submissions that saw her entering into a guilty plea.

"The accused agreed that she was not forced into making submissions pertaining to her role in the premaditated killing of her husband," he added.

Briefly News has it on good authority that following the sentencing of Suretha, the State advocate Johannes Cloete filed a request for separate trials for Bareki and Williams.

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Slain fitness trainer's family 'in the dark' over police investigations

Elsewhere, Briefly News recently reported that as the public outcry continues over the live Zoom session killing of Pretoria-based fitness instructor Lawrence Masinge, his family has spoken out about the lack of information being given to them by the police.

As previously reported by Briefly News, the 40-year-old father of two was shot dead execution-style during an online personal training session in what appeared to be a house robbery at his home in Saulsville on Wednesday.

The fitness coach was reportedly part of a programme supported by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation aimed at promoting an active lifestyle among the youth.

Masinge's clients looked on in horror as the shocking incident unfolded, while the South African Police Service (SAPS) has since launched an investigation into the killing.

However, his family, whom SABC News reported are battling to accept the brutal manner in which he was killed, are urging police to bring them up to speed on the investigations.

Source: Briefly News