EDENVALE, GAUTENG — A Gauteng couple has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder and robbery of 93-year-old Yetsee Chan, who was brutally assaulted and killed in his Edenvale home.
Pranavan Moodley (32) and Samantha Moodley (34) were each sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. In addition, Pranavan received a 15-year sentence for aggravated robbery, while Samantha was handed a 12-year sentence for her role in the crime.
On September 23, 2020, Yetsee Chan’s son left his father at home with the gate open while he went to the bank. Upon returning around 11:45 a.m., he discovered his father severely injured and tied up inside the house. Chan was rushed to the hospital but passed away shortly after arrival due to severe head and cervical spine injuries sustained during a violent assault.
Further investigation by Ekurhuleni North Trio Task Team led police to a pawn shop in Benoni, where stolen items from Chan’s home were recovered. The stolen items were traced back to the couple, linking them to the crime.
During the trial, senior state advocate Maro Papachristoforou presented strong circumstantial evidence, including CCTV footage that captured the couple entering and leaving the suburb where Chan lived. The footage, along with other pieces of evidence, helped secure their conviction.
The court found the evidence compelling, leading to the couple’s conviction and sentencing.
This brutal crime has drawn attention to the growing concern over violent home robberies targeting vulnerable individuals.
