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- A KwaZulu-Natal man was sentenced to a lengthy jail term for kidnapping and killing his cousin.
- The Pietermaritzburg High Court heard that the defendant had been motivated to kill after being caught robbing his cousin.
- The body of the victim was found hanging from a tree in the same area as his home, with serious injuries to the body.
A KwaZulu-Natal man was sentenced to 25 years behind bars after being found guilty of killing his cousin.
Xolani Mchunu, 41, was sentenced in Pietermaritzburg High Court for kidnapping and killing his cousin, Lerato Malembe, 35.
The court heard that on December 28, 2018, Malembe was sleeping at his home in Swayimani, when he heard a knock on the door from someone claiming to be the police.
The attacker broke down the door, entered the room and assaulted Malembe.
He dragged Malembe into his vehicle and headed to an unknown destination.
Later that day, a passerby saw the body hanging from a tree in the area and reported it to the police.
READ | Man confesses to killing a cousin and burying the body
The victim had serious injuries to the body and a murder case was opened.
The police investigation revealed that, in 2013, Malembe had received a claim from the Road Accident Fund for serious injuries sustained in an accident.
Mchunu, who had helped his cousin file the claim, would have stolen some of this money from Malembe.
Malembe had confronted Mchunu, which led to the murder, said police spokesman Capt. Nqobile Gwala.
This infuriated the accused, who later plotted to kill Malembe.
Mchunu was arrested and found in possession of Malembe’s bank cards and identification book.
