Durban -
Convicted killer and rapist Joseph Ntshongwana, dubbed the Axeman because he assaulted his victims with an axe, is on Friday expected to know what fate awaits him.
Ntshongwana, a former Blue Bulls rugby player, is facing five life sentences for murder and rape, but his attorney Themba Mjoli argued on Wednesday that his client should not be treated like an “ordinary criminal” because he has a severe mental illness.
He said there were substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from imposing the prescribed sentence of life imprisonment.
State advocate Rea Mina argued that the court had found that Ntshongwana’s illness did not cause him to commit the crimes.
“He drove around with an axe looking for victims. His actions were planned.”
She said there was no evidence that Ntshongwana had been violent since being kept in custody from 2011.
Mina added that if he was believed to be a danger, he could be kept at Kokstad C-Max prison.
Ntshongwana was convicted of four counts of murder, two of attempted murder, kidnapping, rape and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. He committed the kidnapping and rape in November 2010, and the murders and attempted murders in March 2011.
Durban High Court Acting Judge Irfaan Khalil convicted him in October. The court found that in spite of Ntshongwana’s mental illness, he knew what he was doing, had planned his crimes and could be held criminally responsible.
Earlier on Wednesday, clinical psychologist Philippa Styles, who was called as a defence witness, testified that Ntshongwana should be sent to a secure psychiatric facility rather than prison.
She said staff in the hospital section at Westville Prison, where Ntshongwana was kept in isolation, had told her they were battling to cope with inmates who had psychiatric problems.
She said Ntshongwana needed constant monitoring and had not seen a specialist psychiatrist in prison.
“It was only due to the persistence of a nursing sister that he got medication, which has improved his condition. It would be adequate punishment to put him in a facility like Fort Napier.”
Styles said Ntshongwana had reacted with horror when asked about his crimes, and was extremely remorseful.
“He is a candidate for rehabilitation because he was a gentle and respectful person before these crimes, and he has taken responsibility for his actions.”
She added he would be a prime target for reprisals from other prisoners.
The Star