Two sentenced to life imprisonment
An Ethiopian businessman was killed in his shop in front of his two friends last November.
TWO of the three men responsible for murdering Ethiopian businessman Abenate Kabato (28) at Nkobeni, Hibberdene last November have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Kabato (28) was killed during an armed robbery at his spaza shop. At the time of the robbery, he was in the shop with friends Dialelg Sher and Adena Lire.
On November 24, at about 6.30pm, Justice Mdu Chili (50), Ntando Shangase (20) and Sphiwe Gumede (30) demanded access to the shop.
A shot was fired through the door and Kabato was struck. The men however gained access to the shop and, once inside, demanded cash and cellphones.
One of the suspects fired more shots while inside the shop, killing Kabato. His two friends were injured. The men fled taking cash and cellphones.
Hibberdene SAPS Detective Constable Robs Mduduzi Ncwane and Warrant Officer Gary Kruger from Port Shepstone traced the men and arrested them.
Shangase was taken to Pietermaritzburg High Court in April. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, 10 for robbery and 15 for murder, to run concurrently. He is to serve 12 years minimum before being eligible for parole.
Chili and Gumede pleaded not guilty. However, they appeared in the Ramsgate High Court last Friday and were found guilty of murder, attempted murder and robbery. They were sentenced to life imprisonment.
