Killer: 'God has forgiven me'
2008-09-24 14:45
Thandy Ndlovu & Thobile Mlangeni
Nelspruit - A man who admitted to quitting an R8 500-a-month job to embark on a two-month murderous crime spree has been sentenced to three life terms and another 231 years in jail.
Petrus Gudluza Ngomane, 35, from Oakley village near Hazyview in Mpumalanga pleaded guilty to three murders, two attempted murders, rape, 17 burglaries, armed robbery and the illegal possession of firearm and ammunition on Tuesday.
"Although you didn't waste the court's time by pleading guilty, you don't have respect for other people's lives. Within a period of two months in 2005 you killed three people," said the judge, Justice Aubrey Ledwaba.
He noted that Ngomane earned R8 500 as a sub-contractor before becoming a thieving killer. He said Ngomane had acted on greed and lacked respect for other people and their property.
Ngomane wore a sky blue T-shirt during his sentencing, which was printed: "If God is on our side who can be against us. Romans 8v31".
He initially said he was not guilty as God had already forgiven his sins.
He changed his plea to guilty when it was explained to him that the court that was going to convict him was in the courtroom and not in heaven.
Ngomane admitted to killing Mishack Jabu Khosa after breaking into his house in Lillydale. He said Khosa woke up and tried to reach for his gun. Ngomane shot him twice in the chest and fled the scene.
He also testified that he killed Selby Given Maredi of Cork village, but he failed to give a reason.
He further admitted to killing Mabheke Mildred Nyalungu of Cunningmore A village. He said he hadn't intended to shoot her, but that his gun accidentally went off when he pushed her.