By: Natasha Archary
Shaun Oosthuisen, a convicted serial killer who targeted victims at an old age home has been sentenced to a fourth life term and an additional 80-years imprisonment.
Oosthuisen robbed and killed elderly women in Mpumalanga and Gauteng between 2015 and 2018.
On Monday, 16 May, the serial killer was sentenced for the murders of Henrietta Catharina Potgieter, Engela Van Wyk, Barbara Esme Fenton, Ema Gossen and Lillas Merry.
The murders took place when Oosthuisen travelled between Gauteng and Nelspruit, and he targeted the Macadamia Old Age Home.
He was arrested for the murder of Potgieter (85) in 2018 but was released on bail.
John du Plooy (28), Shaun Oosthuizen (40) and Maryna Mandy Vorster (50) face charges of murder and house robbery after Potgieter's body was found in her apartment at Macadamia Care Centre on July 2, 2018.https://t.co/uETMw0Q9fQ pic.twitter.com/H7QCFyH9SK
— Lowvelder (@Lowvelder) January 18, 2021
Whilst out on bail, Shaun Oosthuisen robbed and killed another elderly woman, Barbara Esme Fenton.
According to reports Oosthuisen strangled the woman to death inside her home in Alberton.
The other murders took place at Rus n’ Bietjie Old Age Home in Springs.
A Hawks’ Investigation led to Oosthuisen’s re-arrest and he was sentenced the murders of Van Wyk and Fenton. In December 2019, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and 20-years for robbery and aggravating circumstances.
Oosthuisen received three life sentences for killing three old women and 50 years for further robbing them.
However, whilst serving his prison sentence, the serial killer was investigated for the murders of other women in Sunnyside and Roodepoort.
This is when he was sentenced to an additional life term and another 50-years for robbery.
The Hawks’s Provincial Head, Major General Zodwa Mokoena said the substantial life terms were necessary to safeguard the elderly.
“We appreciate the collaboration between the investigators and judiciary for ensuring that the heartless criminal who tormented the elderly who could not fight for themselves is removed from the community,”
Major General Mokoena said.
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