30 July 2012 - 08:29
By Thrishni Subramoney

Farming groups hope the three life sentences handed down to a man convicted of a triple murder on a KZN farm will deter criminals from attacking rural homes.

The Pietermaritzburg High Court handed down three life sentences to 21-year-old Mzwandile Magubane last week.

Magubane was convicted of killing Lorraine Karg, farm worker Shayi Mhlongo and domestic worker Hilda Linyane two years ago.

He had apparently set a fire on Sherwood Farm to draw people away from the farmhouse. When the three returned to the house to fetch tools and surprised the robbers, they were murdered.

Robin Barnsley, from agricultural union, Kwanalu has welcomed the sentence.

"I think it sends out a strong signal that the law does run its course, and we are very grateful that justice has been seen to be done. But this doesn't bring back the lives of those people. It remains a tragedy in the history of the province," he said.

Barnsley says the tragedy highlights the vulnerability of communities that live away from urban centres.

"I think there is a heightened awareness of security issues in rural communities, because we do live remote from law enforcement and the SAPS offices - and so on. We are very aware of our personal security and personal safety," he said.