JUSTICE was served when three men, Siyabonga Xaba(25), Sicelo Matabane(31), and Khulekani Mathonsi(31) were sentenced to two life sentences each for murder and 18 years each for house robbery. The sentences are to run concurrently.
The three were arrested for the gruesome murder of the elderly Shongweni couple, John (72) and Hester Noble (68) which left the community shattered and reeling with shock on 7 November, 2013.
A joint operation between the Shongweni K9 unit, the Shongweni community and Hillcrest detectives led to the swift arrest of nine men linked to the murder of John and Hester Noble.
Four of the men were linked to the murder and robbery of the couple and the other men were charged for receiving property suspected to be stolen after they bought the stolen items.
Stolen goods to the value of more than R60 000 were recovered from the men.
John was found with his hands bound behind his back and his mouth was gagged with plastic. He had open wounds on his right arm.
His wife was found strangled with an oxygen pipe. The men removed household items before fleeing in the victim’s grey Honda Civic.
Police found the vehicle shortly after the incident in close proximity to the murders.
The couple’s neighbour, Dave Leslie, last year, described the murder of the couple as the worst he has ever encountered.
Pinetown SAPS communications officer, Lt Bongumusa Manqele, said the three men were were convicted and sentenced by the Durban High Court for double murder and house robbery.”
“On 7 November 2013 at approximately 9am, police found the elderly couple at their home in Shongweni Valley.
“One of the deceased was assaulted with a hammer and the other was strangled. The deceased’s car, household appliances and clothing were also stolen.
“A case of double murder and house robbery was opened at the Hillcrest police station and Constable Siboniso Ntembe was assigned to investigate.
“On 10 November 2013, Ntembe received information about the whereabouts of the murderers and two of them were arrested.
“On 12 November 2013 the third man was arrested and all the stolen items were recovered. The suspects later appeared in court and were denied bail,” said Manqele.
After making several appearances in court, the men were subsequently convicted and sentenced. Diligent work by the investigating officer is commended.
The case against the fourth man was withdrawn at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court.
