Johannesburg - Two Galeshewe men convicted of rape and murder have been handed two life sentences each by the Northern Cape High Court in Kimberley, police said on Sunday.
Patrick Sekgoro, 30, and Elvin Alton Barends, 27, were convicted of raping and murdering Agnes Kediemetse Phoku on 29 June last year, Lieutenant Sergio Kock said.
The Phoku, 53, was attacked by the two men in Ramatsela Street in Galeshewe, and dragged to nearby veld.
Phoku was severely beaten, raped and left for dead in the veld under a tree.
She was discovered by a neighbour the following morning around 06:00.
"She had suffered serious head injuries and was bleeding from her hands and face," Kock said.
"Ambulance services transported the victim to hospital for medical treatment but she succumbed to her injuries and died on 9 July 2013."
Police, following a tip-off, arrested Sekgoro and Barends in November 2013. Police opposed bail and both men were kept in custody until their sentencing.