A KwaZulu-Natal man was jailed for 25 years on Wednesday for stabbing a retired fireman to death.
|||A KwaZulu-Natal man was jailed for 25 years on Wednesday for stabbing a retired fireman to death.
Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Isaac Madondo sentenced Bheki Ngcobo, 20, of Hammarsdale, to 25 years' imprisonment for the murder and 15 years for aggravated robbery.
He ordered that the sentences run concurrently for an effective 25-year term.
Madondo told the court the sentence was fitting, as Ngcobo had shown remorse for the murder which took place during a robbery that Ngcobo's nephew had instigated.
Ncgobo co-operated with police and pleaded guilty when the police did not have compelling evidence against him. He was also a first time offender.
Madondo said there were substantial and compelling circumstances which justified a lesser sentence than the prescribed life for murder during a robbery.
Ronald Drake, 69, was stabbed six times in his own yard in May this year by Ngcobo and his teenage nephew. The two had hidden in Drake's garage but Drake's dog barked and he came out to see what was the matter.
The two then stabbed Drake, tied up his wife and looted the house of various items.
The court heard that the two wanted to steal a firearm from Drake to use in other crimes.
Ngcobo's nephew remains in custody. - Sapa