Schoolgirl Thato Radebe's rape and murder was the most gruesome a judge had seen - so she rejected a plea agreement and sent the killers to jail for 35 years.
Three of the four co-accused - Mandla Mtshali, Themba Mndaweni and Thabiso Zweli Ganta - had hoped for a 25-year sentence after they pleaded guilty.
But Judge Lucy Mailula would have none of it.
"I've seen the pictures of the crime scene. They are chilling photographs.
"She was brutally raped, her head was crushed, and she was strangled and stabbed with bottles in the most gruesome manner of killing I've ever seen in my life."
Then she asked: "Does the 25-year sentence begin to address the gravity of the offences?"
On February 3 last year, Thato's body was found by a passer-by, who reported the matter to the police.
The Bedfordview High School pupil was still wearing her school uniform - a green blazer with gold stripes, green skirt, white shirt, black shoes and grey socks - when her body was discovered.
Police discovered Thato's underwear, three empty bottles of beer, bloodied stones, and two used government-issue condoms and their wrappings next to her body.
Before sentencing Judge Mailula gave the killers' counsel a chance to persuade her not to hand down a harsh sentence, but she remained unconvinced.
She consequently sentenced each of them to 25 years for murder and another 25 years for rape.
She ordered that 15 years for rape run concurrently with the murder sentence. They will effectively serve 35 years' imprisonment.
In the gallery, mumbles and gestures from the Soweto ANC Women's League, pupils and family indicated relief.
Earlier this month, 19-year-old Themba Kenneth Mndaweni was the first perpetrator to plead guilty to Thato's rape and murder, and he was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment.
Condemning the three on Tuesday, the judge said it was horrible that the girl was held down by two of her killers while another raped her.
"She was killed and left behind in an undignified manner. She was humiliated enough by being raped. There was no need to kill her," Judge Mailula said.
"Not only was she strangled, her skull was crushed. She had bad stab wounds to her head and neck.
"It was a brutal and gruesome murder. It was totally senseless."
After the sentencing, the three sat quietly in the dock. They then chatted to their families, and Masemola took off his chains and rings and handed these to his uncle.
Ganta also handed his chain to his mother but kept his gold ring.
As they were taken to the holding cells, Masemola pulled up his red T-shirt and wiped away tears.
Their families refused to comment.
Outside court, Thato's mother, Happy Radebe, expressed satisfaction at the lengthy sentences.
"I am happy even if it would not bring back my child.
"I hope that they serve their sentences and will not be released on parole. They must rot in jail."
Radebe also remarked how lucky they were to see Thato's killers being sent to jail, whereas hundreds of other families whose children suffered the same fate did not even know where their children's bodies were.
Soweto super-sleuth Amos Maneta was also happy.
The detective, who took less than 10 days to bring the killers to book, waited a period of 20 months to see them all go to jail.
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