Justice has at last been served for a slain Somali shopkeeper after his killers were sentenced to life in jail.Ayanda van Ryk, 29, and Mkhululi Toni, 21, killed Mohammed Nour Ibrahim on October 12 2014.
The two had confronted Ibrahim while he was opening his shop in Nkqonqweni location outside Mdantsane, stabbing him in his back and hitting him before stealing cigarettes and tobacco, a cellphone, matches and money.
Both men pleaded not guilty even though one of them was linked by DNA from an apple police found at the scene. The items stolen from Ibrahim’s shop were found on them.
Acting Judge Simthembile Mgxaji found them guilty in December and last month sentenced them.
Mgxaji said Van Ryk and Toni preyed on Ibrahim because he was defenceless in the early morning.
“The deceased, like a number of people from Somalia or any other country within the borders of Africa, engaged in productive activities in the same way and in the same circumstances like anyone would do from the community,” Mgxaji said in his sentence.
“The savage murder of the deceased, the horrific manner in which his life was terminated is fully appreciated when one has regard to the terrible injuries inflicted on the deceased.
“The photograph reflecting head injuries is heart rendering and devastating,” Mgxaji said.
He added there was nothing justifying a sentence lesser than a life sentence for the murder. He further sentenced them to five years for robbery. — siyab@dispatch.co.za
Life in jail for two who killed Somali shopkeeper
Ayanda van Ryk, 29, and Mkhululi Toni, 21, killed Mohammed Nour Ibrahim on October 12 2014.
The two had confronted Ibrahim while he was opening his shop in Nkqonqweni location outside Mdantsane, stabbing him in his back and hitting him before stealing cigarettes and tobacco, a cellphone, matches and money.
Both men pleaded not guilty even though one of them was linked by DNA from an apple police found at the scene. The items stolen from Ibrahim’s shop were found on them.
Acting Judge Simthembile Mgxaji found them guilty in December and last month sentenced them.
Mgxaji said Van Ryk and Toni preyed on Ibrahim because he was defenceless in the early morning.
“The deceased, like a number of people from Somalia or any other country within the borders of Africa, engaged in productive activities in the same way and in the same circumstances like anyone would do from the community,” Mgxaji said in his sentence.
“The savage murder of the deceased, the horrific manner in which his life was terminated is fully appreciated when one has regard to the terrible injuries inflicted on the deceased.
“The photograph reflecting head injuries is heart rendering and devastating,” Mgxaji said.
He added there was nothing justifying a sentence lesser than a life sentence for the murder. He further sentenced them to five years for robbery. — siyab@dispatch.co.za
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