TWO men, who robbed a home in Caversham Glen, Pinetown in June 2015, were each handed down two life terms and 15 years imprisonment by the Durban High Court last week.
Of the three men who robbed the home, only two survived to face charges.
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In a statement released by the NPA, its KZN spokesperson, Natasha Kara, said the two accused, Nathi Sithole and Sabelo Patrick Zondi along with another assailant, Ntokozo Khambule, entered the home of Faizel Iqbal and his family armed with firearms.
“The deceased, Faizel Iqbal, was at home with his wife and two minor children when the accused entered their home,” said Kara.
“While the family lay on the floor, they stole a firearm, two television sets, three cellphones, gold jewellery, a laptop, toiletries and a bag of children’s clothing. A shoot out erupted between the accused and Iqbal when they asked Iqbal’s wife to open the safe. Iqbal and one of the assailants, Ntokozo Khambule, were shot. Khambule died at the scene while Iqbal died in hospital two days later.”
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Aggravation
Kara said the senior state advocate, Kelvin Singh, read the testimony of Iqbal’s 14-year-old daughter during the sentencing part of the trial in aggravation of the sentencing.
“The child mentioned the trauma she suffered due to the incident. She said that she misses her father and is fearful to go anywhere,” said Kara.
“The court sentenced Sithole and Zondi to a term of life imprisonment for each of the murders and 15 years imprisonment for the robbery.”
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Conviction welcomed
Kara added that the Director of Public Prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal, Adv. Elaine Zungu congratulated Singh on the results saying: “The sentence and conviction is welcomed. The NPA has a responsibility to protect the rights of members of society, especially in the private confines of their homes. Congratulations to the prosecutor on a job well done.”
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