PMB doctor's killers sentenced to life
The two men who murdered Pietermaritzburg doctor Bhavish Sewram have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Sewram was gunned down near his surgery in May 2013, allegedly at the behest of businessman Rajivee Soni.
Soni, who is facing a separate trial, allegedly wanted Sewram dead because he believed he was having an affair with his wife. His trial is still ongoing.
Yesterday, Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Anton van Zyl told the accused, former policeman Brian Treasurer, 55, and Mfaniseni Nxumalo, 37 that he could not find a substantial and compelling reason to deviate from the prescribed sentence for a premeditated murder.
Van Zyl said testimony by the hitman, Sabelo Dlamini, was logical and it was accepted by the court.
Dlamini had earlier confessed to his role in the murder. He is already serving a 25-year-sentence after pleading guilty.
Van Zyl said Dlamini had testified on behalf of the State without any prospect of reward.
CCTV footage of the area close to the murder scene placed Treasurer and Nxumalo at the scene at the time of the murder.
Widow Yuvadia Sewram, who has two young daughters who often ask about their slain father, was delighted at the outcome of the trial. She called the accused monsters who had arranged the murder based on greed.
(File photo: AFP)