(Pic) Olwethu Xabanisa
A gardener who killed his 82-year-old employer in East London last year has been jailed for life in the High Court.
Sanele Ntengo (28) pleaded guilty to charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances, for strangling and beating Florence Schwartz over the head with an iron rod in the garage of her Berea home in August 2021.
He then went to search the bedroom and fled with R180 which he stole from her purse, having to pass her husband, 89-year-old Clovis Schwartz, who was unable to help as he is confined to a wheelchair.
In convicting Ntengo, Judge Bulelwa Pakati said the crime was premeditated and that he knew that the elderly man would not be able to do anything. She also dismissed his application for leave to appeal.
The victim’s son Ian Schwartz said the sentence was fair.
"We just hope as a family that it would serve as a deterrent to other would-be criminals to not prey on the vulnerable. The courts are taking a hard line against violent crime," he said.
Schwartz said he does not bear any grudges, but added that Ntengo must face the consequences of his actions. He also paid tribute to the investigating officer in the case, Sergeant Phuthumile Kwenene, who he said deserved more recognition for his work.
