The Shepherd family breathed a sigh a relief when Rogers Ndlovo, one of the men who brutally beat up, and subsequently killed 80-year-old farmer Simon Shepherd, was handed a life sentence for premeditated murder yesterday.
The ruling at the Durban High Court came almost a year after Simon and his wife Joy were attacked in their home of 52 years on Misty Ridge Farm in Upper Tongaat.
Simon was beaten with a cane knife and suffered multiple injuries including five broken ribs, a gash to his head and deep cuts.
The skin on one one of his hands and arm was ripped off.
His wife Joy was hidden, terrified, in a cupboard for most of the ordeal.
Simon died at Alberlito hospital about a week after the attack.
Two men were initially arrested for the incident, however, the charges were dropped against one of them due to lack of evidence.
Also read: Poor economy, not race, drives farm attacks
Speaking to The Courier, Simon’s son Paul Shepherd said the conviction was bittersweet for the family.
“As much as we are happy that justice was served, we have to face the reality that nothing could bring my dad back.
“The memory of him in his final days will forever be etched into our memories.”
Ndlovo was sentenced to life for premeditated murder, five years for housebreaking, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances and 15 years for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The 27-year-old pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder and claimed to have beaten up the elderly man after Simon threatened him with a gun.
He apparently maintained that the evidence against him had been fabricated.
Paul said despite the trauma of the legal procedure, his faith in the justice system had been restored.
“The Umhlali SAPS and advocates have been great in dealing with the case and seeing that everything was done by the book.
“I would like to thank them for that. ”
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