Murderers Qelani Moyo and Masethembe Mbatha sentenced to two life terms behind bars for the killing of Carte Blanche and 50/50 producer and presenter Johann Botha and Werner 'Swazi' Perchtold.

Murderers Qelani Maqhawe Moyo and Masethembe Thembi Mbatha on Wednesday were sentenced to two life terms behind bars for the killing of the Carte Blanche and 50/50 producer and presenter Johann Botha and his friend Werner "Swazi" Perchtold in June 2017.

The South African Police in a statement on Friday said that Qelani Moyo and Masethembe Mbatha were sentenced on Wednesday in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.

Johann Botha was a producer of Carte Blanche on M-Net (DStv 101), a former producer, presenter and executive producer of the environmental magazine show 50/50 on SABC2, and also a radio presenter on the SABC's Afrikaans language radio station, RSG, as well a former presenter and producer of of kykNET's (DStv 144) environmental magazine programme Projek Aardwolf.

Qelani Moyo got two life sentences for the two murders as well as an additional 35 years in jail for business robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and possession of ammunition.

Masethembe Mbatha got 75 years behind bars: 25 years each for every murder, and 25 years combined for business robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and possession of ammunition.

Qelani Moyo and Masethembe Mbatha were arrested on 14 June 2017 after Johann Botha and Werner Perchtold were shot and killed during an armed robbery armed robbery at the Zebra Inn restaurant in Maboneng, Johannesburg, earlier that month.

Werner Perchtold was the owner of the Zebra Inn and the killers entered the bar and restaurant pretending to be customers after which they pointed guns at the two and brutally murdered them.

Acting provincial commissioner Major General Max Masha applauded the provincial investigating team for its consistent hard work that led to the conviction and sentencing of the murderers.

"Successful convictions and lengthy sentences of this nature are a step in the right direction towards regaining public confidence in the police," says Max Masha in the statement.

"It is therefore important to encourage and keep our members motivated to ensure that their energy levels are sustained in relation to arrests and investigations."

M-Net's Carte Blanche: 'Devastated by the loss of Johann Botha, one of our finest producers'.

M-Net's Carte Blanche where Johann Botha (53) was a producer has issued a statement following the brutal death of the well-known TV presenter and producer who was shot and killed on Wednesday evening during a Jeppestown robbery at the Zebra Inn.

Besides Johann Botha, his friend and owner of the Zebra Inn restaurant and bar, Werner "Swazi" Perchtold (73), was also shot dead.

"M-Net's Carte Blanche team is devastated by the loss of Johann Botha, one of our finest producers," says George Mazarakis, Carte Blanche executive producer.

"Johann was immensely talented and had a depth and breadth of experience which makes him simply irreplaceable".

"Johann was a brave, creative investigative journalist with a kind and gentle nature.He could executive stories on the Johannesburg billing crisis - his most recent report - with as much ease as a piece on the penguins of Betty's Bay; he was comfortable reporting on politics or the arts".

"His loss is a loss for the entire broadcasting industry and he will be sorely missed," says George Mazarakis.

"We are outraged that yet again, a precious life has been lost to the scourge of crime."

"We extend our sincere condolences to his family and his friends."

TV presenter and producer Johann Botha who worked on the SABC's 50/50 and M-Net's Carte Blanche shot and killed during robbery.

TV presenter and producer Johann Botha (53) has been shot and killed on Wednesday night in a bar in Johannesburg's Maboneng Precinct during a robbery.

The owner of the Zebra Inn bar in Jeppestown and a friend of Johann Botha, Werner "Swazi" Perchtold (73), was also killed.

According to Captain Kay Makhubela, police spokesperson, 4 people entered the bar - three men and a woman - bought food, and then pointed a gun at the owner. The owner was then shot as well as Johann Botha. Both were shot in the upper body and died on the scene.

Johann Botha is a former producer, presenter and executive producer of the SABC's environmental programme 50/50 on SABC2, and a former presenter and producer of the environmental programme Projek Aardwolf that was broadcast on kykNET (DStv 144), M-Net's Afrikaans packaged channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

Johann Botha currently worked as a producer on M-Net's Carte Blanche investigative magazine show, mostly doing environmental impact stories where he's also presented some inserts in the past.

After having studied drama, Johann Botha started working for the SABC in 1988.

In his career Johann Botha also worked as a SABC radio presenter on the public broadcaster's Afrikaans radio station RSG where he used to present several shows in the past, notably successful youth centred music programmes.

TV presenter and producer Johann Botha has been shot and killed on Wednesday night in a bar in Johannesburg's Maboneng Precinct during a robbery.

The owner of the bar, Werner "Swazi" Perchtold, was also killed. No arrest have been made yet.

According to Captain Kay Makhubela, police spokesperson, 4 people entered the bar - three men and a woman - bought food, and then pointed a gun at the owner. The owner was then shot as well as Johann Botha. Both were shot in the upper body and died on the scene.

Johann Botha is a former producer, presenter and executive producer of the SABC's environmental programme 50/50 on SABC2, and a former presenter and producer of the environmental programme Projek Aardwolf that was broadcast on kykNET (DStv 144), M-Net's Afrikaans packaged channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

Johann Botha currently worked as a producer on M-Net's Carte Blanche investigative magazine show, mostly doing environmental impact stories where he's also presented some inserts in the past.

After having studied drama, Johann Botha started working for the SABC in 1988.

In his career Johann Botha also worked as a SABC radio presenter on the public broadcaster's Afrikaans radio station RSG where he used to present several shows in the past, notably successful youth centred music programmes.

Since the beginning of the year Johann Botha was a radio presenter at PretoriaFM of the Sunday night show, Nagmusiek.

50/50 in a Facebook post said: "Johann's exuberant energy on camera and investigative journalistic insight made him a champion for the environment and his love for wildlife his seen him lauded with numerous environmental awards. The environment, the animals, and his close friends and family have lost a truly courageous human being, who made a tremendous difference to the world, that will be felt still for many years to come."

In a statement from M-Net's Carte Blanche, the weekly investigative magazine show says "M-Net's Carte Blanche team is devastated by the loss of Johann Botha, one of our finest producers."

"Johann was immensely talented and had a depth and breadth of experience which makes him simply irreplaceable," says George Mazarakis, Carte Blanche executive producer.

"Johann was a brave, creative investigative journalist with a kind and gentle nature.He could executive stories on the Johannesburg billing crisis - his most recent report - with as much ease as a piece on the penguins of Betty's Bay; he was comfortable reporting on politics or the arts".

"His loss is a loss for the entire broadcasting industry and he will be sorely missed," says George Mazarakis.

"We are outraged that yet again, a precious life has been lost to the scourge of crime. We extend our sincere condolences to his family and his friends."