Mayville man receives life sentence for beheading friend
The Mayville man who chopped off an acquaintance's head to sell it for muthi has been sentenced to life on Wednesday at the Durban High Court.
Philani Jojisa was arrested two years ago in the Durban CBD, after he was found with a human head in his backpack.
The head belonged to Thembinkosi Nzimakwe, whose body was found in a bush in Mayville a day later.
Jojisa pleaded guilty to the murder on Monday. His friend and co-accused, Lehlohonolo Swartbooi has pleaded not guilty.
READ: Durban man tells court he chopped off his friend's head for money
Judge, Phillip Nkosi says Jojisa made a mindless and deliberate choice to commit the crime.He says Jojisa was callous and brutal in his actions.
He added that he could not imagine how Jojisa slept at night after this spineless deed.
Nkosi told Jojisa that Nzimakwe was an innocent man, and his life was cut short only for him to achieve, selfish monetary gain.
He saw no exceptional circumstances for a lesser sentence, adding that he was arrested when his daughter was just three months old and in the care of her mom.
READ: Mom who allegedly dumped baby in stormwater drain fit for house arrest
During his plea this week Jojisa said he was sinking in debt and owed loan sharks R6 000.
He told the court that he looked into human body parts sales and approached traditional healers where he found he could get R20 000 for a head.
Jojisa told the court that they targeted Nzimakwe after he passed out at a local tavern.
