Killer gets reduced sentence over racial slur

2012-09-12 11:29

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Johannesburg - A gardener who stabbed his 69-year-old employer to death in Bultfontein near Pretoria in 2009 has been given a reduced sentence because the victim called him a "kaffir" and refused to pay him, Beeld newspaper reported on Wednesday.

North Gauteng High Court Judge Cynthia Pretorius these were "reasonable and compelling circumstances" for Jacob Pantsi Mmekwa, 32, not getting a life sentence.

Mmekwa was instead sentenced to 15 years in jail by Pretorius.

Mmekwa, by his own admission, stabbed Sarel Koekemoer twice in the neck after he threatened him and said: "I'll kill you, kaffir", the paper reported.

According to Mmekwa, Koekemoer did not pay him his salary at the end of August 2009.

When Mmekwa confronted Koekemoer, the latter allegedly accused Mmekwa of stealing tools.

She said not only was the racial slur a grave insult that should be eradicated, but Mmekwa had been an awaiting trial prisoner for a long time.

Mmekwa's co-accused, Levy Mthombeni, was sentenced to five years in jail for the theft of Koekemoer's property.

Both men were found guilty of stealing Koekemoer's cellphone, gun and money.

- SAPA