NPA: Lunga Welkom (left) and Masixole Mbeki
The two Eastern Cape men responsible for the brutal 2019 murder of 79-year-old Jeffery's Bay business owner Johnie Marx were sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday.
Lunga Welkom and Masixole Mbeki, both 30, were sentenced in the Port Elizabeth High Court.
Anelisa Ngcakani of the National Prosecuting Authority says they were also sentenced to five years for housebreaking with intent to rob, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances and three years for kidnapping.
The pair also received five years for fraud and one year for money laundering – the sentences will run concurrently
In November 2019, the two went to the victim's house under the false pretense of job-seeking, as he owned a gardening service.
They returned the following day, pepper sprayed Marx and violently forced him to give up his banking details.
They made a withdrawal of R22 000 from his account and also stole several items from his house, including a cell phone and jewellery.
They then took a plastic bag, placed it over his head and sealed it with tape before leaving.
Marx suffocated to death and his body was discovered in the garage by his relatives the following day.
