Murderer jailed for eight years

The sentence was backdated to April 1, 2012 when the accused was detained.  The court heard that Khumalo killed Ipolokeng after the deceased threatened to stab him with a knife at an alcohol-drinking place.

The deceased charged at Khumalo who managed to overpower him, took the knife from him and stabbed him. Passing sentence Justice Zibane Makhwade said that there were extenuating circumstances that led to the accused killing the deceased.  “A reasonable member of society should not be shocked by sentences that the courts sometimes pass. The minimum sentence of murder ranges between 10 and 25 years.  “A life lost can never be recovered that is why the right to life is cherished by the constitution. All relevant factors should be taken into consideration before passing sentence,” said Makhwade.