Three sentenced in KZN farm murder
The killers of a KZN farmer have been sentenced by the Mthunzini High Court with one of them being slapped with a life sentence.
Peter Johnson and his brother, Ian Johnson, were attacked by three armed men on their sugarcane farm in Nyoni near Mandeni two years ago.
Peter died on the scene while Ian was rushed to hospital after being shot in the face.
Twenty-two-year-old Sabelo Zulu, and two women, 44-year-old Nana Madikane and 54-year-old Thandiwe Cele were convicted of the crime.
Today, Zulu was handed a life sentence, while Madikane and Cele received four and six years respectively for robbery.
Madikane and Cele are believed to have arranged the robbery at the farm. Two of the suspects took two rifles and a pistol before they fled the scene.
A fourth suspect, Sandile Mjadu was shot and killed by police when he opened fire on officers who were pursuing him.
KZN Agricultural Union, KwaNalu's Koos Marais says they welcome the sentences handed down.
"We appreciate the heavy sentences. We believe that it will act as a deterrent for any possible farm attack or murder. We call on the community to stand together to resist attacks of this nature and we also want to thank the court and the police for the good work that they have done," he said.