The Pietermaritzburg High Court handed a life sentence to a man convicted of killing his grandmother and girlfriend, the NPA said on Friday.
Sakhile Khoza, 29, got a life sentence for the murder of his girlfriend, 15 years for the murder of his grandmother, and a year for the attempted murder of his mother, National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Velekhaya Mgobhozi said.
Khoza lived with his mother and girlfriend Vamisile Ngidi in the Nomphamba area.
In early April 2013, he got into an argument with the two women over money he was supposed to have given to a neighbour.
“He called Vamisile to his room and tried to strangle her. His mother then intervened and they managed to escape from him,” said Mgobhozi.
“The accused chased the women with a bush knife, striking them both.”
His mother escaped with injuries. His girlfriend suffered severe head wounds and died on the scene.
Khoza's relatives, who live in the vicinity, heard the commotion, and rushed to the scene.
“One such person was the accused's grandmother. On seeing her, the accused struck her several times with the bush knife,” said Mgobhozi.
The elderly woman died on the scene.
“The NPA welcomes this sentence as it sends a resounding message that such senseless acts of crime will not be tolerated,” said Mgobhozi.
Sapa