‘Tortured and burned alive’ — farm murderer jailed for life

Polokwane – The Polokwane High Court has sentenced 29-year-old Christopher Mgiba to life imprisonment for a series of violent crimes, including the murders of a senior couple, attempted murder, arson, and theft.

The ruling was handed down on Wednesday, 27 August 2025.

According to Limpopo Police Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the case stems from a violent attack on Annika Claasen (76) and Hendrik Claasen (77) at their residence.

@POTUS confirmation of another FARM MURDER:
Life in jail for man who tortured, killed Anneke and Hennie Claassen
The High Court in Polokwane has sentenced 29-year-old Christopher Mgiba to life imprisonment for multiple charges, including housebreaking and theft, attempted… pic.twitter.com/Z42xM0N4ML

— BreakTheSilence (@ThePoint2Day) August 29, 2025

According to IOL, the victims lived on Klimfonteinhoek Farm in the Sekhukhune District, home to the nationally recognised Echo Caves, a popular tourist destination.

Anneke owned the farm’s hotel, a well-known local getaway, the report said.

 In June 2023, the couple was brutally attacked, tortured, and murdered, and their bodies were set on fire on the property.

The accused had previously broken into the Claasens’ premises on 1 September 2022, stealing safe keys, registers, and cash valued at R13,000, police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said in a statement.

After a year in hiding, the accused returned with the intent to rob. He brutally attacked and killed the victims, the owners of the business, with a sharp object and then set their business alight on 03 June 2023 during the day,” Ledwaba said.

Mgiba he attacked the Claasens with a sharp object, killing both and setting their business alight during the day.

He was later traced and arrested in Tembisa, Ivory Park, Gauteng Province.

🇿🇦#FarmMurders
Hennie Claassen (77) and his wife Anneke (73) killed Saturday. Both were set alight while alive, after being tortured & left to burn to death in separate rooms. This happened on the farm Klipfonteinhoek, Ohrigstad in Limpopo Provincehttps://t.co/HzgKGFBHpg pic.twitter.com/UPxW2VhJeI

— Boer (@twatterbaas) June 5, 2023

The investigation team opposed his bail application, and the court ultimately convicted him on multiple charges:

• Count 1: Housebreaking and theft – 8 years

• Count 2: Attempted murder – 5 years

• Count 3: Murder – life imprisonment

• Count 4: Murder – life imprisonment

• Count 5 & 6: Arson – 10 years each

• Count 7: Assault GBH – 8 years

• Count 9: Business burglary – 3 years

The court ordered that most sentences run concurrently with the life sentences for murder, resulting in an effective life sentence for Mgiba.

The Polokwane High Court sentenced Christopher Mgiba (29) to life imprisonment for the June 2023 murders of Annika (76) and Hendrik Claasen (77) at their Echo Caves home. He was also convicted of housebreaking, theft, attempted murder, arson, and assault. While he received… pic.twitter.com/EfKm7fC5ky

— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) August 28, 2025

Lieutenant General Hadebe praised the investigation led by Warrant Officer Justice Mogotla Mantswane and other law enforcement personnel involved, calling the conviction a result of meticulous and diligent work.

“The Provincial Commissioner welcomes the court’s decision and commends the dedication of all officers who contributed to bringing justice to the Claasen family,” Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said.