Johannesburg – Emmanuel Sithole’s killers have been sentenced to 10 and 17 years respectively in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Sithole, a Mozambican national, was stabbed to death in Alexandra township in full view of residents during a sporadic xenophobic attack in 2015.
Sifundo Mzimela and Mthinta Bhengu were found guilty of the April 18 murder of Sithole who was selling cigarettes in the street when they attacked him. Another accused, Stands Sibiya was found guilty of assault and robbery.
The attack was captured on camera by Sunday Times photographer, James Oatway.
On Friday magistrate Lucas van der Schyff accepted final character reports on Mzimela and Bhengu compiled by social workers.
Social worker, Wonderful Baloyi, compiled a report on Bhengu, which indicated that the accused had in the past admitted to stabbing Sithole.
“He took responsibility for stabbing the deceased, but as I have observed, the accused is a short tempered person,” said Baloyi, adding that “there’s a possibility that he could be rehabilitated … he is also remorseful and willing to find employment”.
Magistrate Van der Schyff noted the report on Bhengu showed that the accused portrayed “unconditional” remorse.
The other accused Mzimela was described by social worker Boitumetsi Ditsele, in her report, as someone who “misbehaved” and consumed alcohol and smoked dagga.
However, Ditsele’s report said Mzimela had expressed feelings of sorrow over Sithole’s death.
Sithole’s stepmother, Mamobetsi Mofokeng, described the deceased as a down to earth person, who never incited violence.
“It was painful to hear how Emmanuel (Sithole) died. The family is not happy at all,” said Mofokeng.
Van Der Schyff said Sibiya’s sentence would be determined by his actions as an accessory to Sithole’s murder.
“He does not seem like an aggressive person and he can be judged as an accessory to Bhengu,” said the magistrate before he adjourned sentencing.-IOL