THE three young men who strangled Geoffrey John Stuart, (71), to death were each handed life sentences in the Ramsgate High Court last week.
The Munster man was found dead in his bed by his domestic worker in February this year.
Andile Ma-ah Mzobe (20), Mluleki Morris Khowa (22) and Lungani Somahe Mbhansini (20), from Port Edward appeared before Judge Mahendra Chetty and state advocate Denardo MacDonald.
The men were each handed 15 years’ imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to steal, theft, and robbery with aggravating circumstances, and life for murder.
Mzobe was given a further five years’ imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to steal, and theft.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
The fourth accused, Steven Lami Mbhansini (21), turned state witness after he pleaded guilty in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, and was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment.
Mr Stuart’s brother, Ross said the outcome was the best they could have hoped for, as the men were convicted on every count.
He explained that Mbhansini’s council had informed him that Mbhansini had been ‘full of remorse’ and that he had tried to revive his brother by wetting a pillow and rubbing his back, and untying his hands.
Mbhansini was an outstanding witness and without his evidence the case could have been a difficult one.
Mzobe broke into Stuart’s property on January 27, 2014 and stole valuables.
He realised that there were a lot of valuables remaining on the property, so he decided to return and elicited the assistance of the other three.
Armed with screwdrivers, the men went to Mr Stuart’s home, where they gained access through a window.
He was in bed, and they tied his hands and feet with cables they found on his premises.
He died as a result of smothering and strangulation.
The men stole property such as bedding, clothing, electronic equipment and cellular phones. The case was investigated by Warrant Officer Diba Nzimakwe of Port Edward police station.
