![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2015/01/s4axe-web.jpg)
ACTING judge Irfaan Kallil sentenced Yellowwood Park resident and former Blue Bulls rugby player Phindile Ntshongwana to five life sentences on Friday, 19 December.
In September, Ntshongwana was found guilty of four counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, one count of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, a count of rape and one count of kidnapping.
In addition to the four counts of murder, Ntshongwana was also found guilty of two counts of attempted murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. He was also found guilty of kidnapping a woman in Yellowwood Park on 28 November 2010. The axe as well as other evidence was recovered in the backyard of his Yellowwood Park home, hidden in a dog kennel.
Acting Judge Kallil commended the team on their hard work in apprehending Ntshongwana within four days of his last offense. The judge said that if the team did not react as quickly as they did then he did not know how many more civilians would have been killed or injured by the suspect.
“Montclair SAP management commends Warrant Officer Rico Naidoo for his hard work and conviction of the axe murderer,” said communications officer, Lt Leopold Jojozi.