School pupil pleads guilty to murdering guard for R150

A 19-year-old Grade 11 pupil on Tuesday pleaded guilty in the Pietermaritzburg High Court to the murder of a school guard and aggravated robbery.

Sphamandla Mkhize, of the Amanzimtoti district, admitted in court that he, a cousin, and an uncle, killed the guard and took R1200 from his rondavel in May.

Mkhize said his uncle, Shenu Mkhize, persuaded him and cousin Sthubiso Xaba to attack the guard, Muvuyka Mkhize, at night.

Sphamandla Mkhize said his only role in the attack was to pick up the victim's knobkerrie and spear which he dropped during the struggle.

He expressed remorse and regret that he had fallen in with his uncle's suggestion to attack the guard. He was given R150 of the R1200 they took.

Sphamandla said he spent R50 on alcohol and gave R100 to his mother. The victim's decomposing body was found in a veld.

Judge Jerome Mnguni convicted Sphamandla of murder and robbery. He ordered that a probation official interview him and report when the case resumes on October 8.