Judge: Krugersdorp killers ‘Elected by Lucifer’
Judge Ellem Jacob Francis has described the crimes committed by the Krugersdorp killers as ungodly.
Cecilia Steyn, Marcel Steyn and Zak Valentine, who called themselves Electus per Deus - or Chosen by God – were sentenced in the high court in Johannesburg on Monday
Francis said they should have rather called themselves "Elected by Lucifer".
The trio murdered 11 people between 2012 and 2016 and was convicted to 32 counts, including murder, fraud and intimidation.
Zack Valentine was sentenced to at least eight life sentences, Cecilia Steyn to 13 life sentences and Marcel Steyn to seven life sentences.
Handing down his sentence, Francis said the Bible verse Peter Meyer read right before his wife was killed had no effect on the trio.
"There was nothing Godly about the deeds that they committed. Psalm 23, which was recited by Peter Meyer when his wife was being killed in front of him, had no effect on them. They should perhaps called themselves ‘Elected by Lucifer’."
The National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonodwane says the harsh sentences imposed on them is a reflection of the seriousness of the crimes they committed.