THE Mtubatuba Regional Court sentenced Thobani Cele (24) to 50 years imprisonment for robbery and murder.
He was found guilty on charges of housebreaking with the intent to commit robbery (15 years), robbery with aggravating circumstances (15 years) and murder (20 years).
The first and third counts will run concurrently.
A co-accused was acquitted during the trial.
The case arose from an incident in November 2011 during which a 55-year-old woman and her family was held at gun point while in their home in Gingindlovu.
They robbers demanded cash and cell phones.
They then took a 15-year-old girl from the house to a neighbouring uncle’s house where they broke a window and fired several shots into the room before entering.
The uncle, Archie Mthethwa (27), was stabbed in his abdomen and several items were taken from the house before Cele and his co-accused fled.
Mthethwa died of his stab wounds.
Cele was arrested on 23 November 2011 and his co-accused in February 2012.
During his judgement Judge Madondo praised the Investigating officer, Captain Coenie Herbst, for the quality of the investigation.
