15-year-old boy will be sentenced to 43 years in prison for killing the school principal

A 15-year-old boy convicted of murdering a school principal in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) will spend 43 years in prison.

The teenager appeared in the Nongoma District Court, where the sentence was handed down last week.

He was also convicted of burglary, robbery with aggravating circumstances and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Robbery and murder

Police Spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the teenager robbed and killed 61-year-old Alpheus Mphumuzeni Ntuli in April 2023.

“Ntuli, a school principal at Bhekintinta High School in Nongoma, was reported missing that day. Police spotted Ntuli’s vehicle driving along Mkhuze Road as he was on his way to the police station from the Bhanganoma huts where Ntuli resided.

“When they approached, the suspect sped away but then abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Shortly afterwards, Ntuli’s body was found dumped near the riverbank under a bridge in the Odwaleni area. Netshiunda said his body had open wounds on his head and bruises all over his body.

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Arrest

Netshiunda said police officers tracked the suspect to his residence in Kwa Mnqandi in Toyisa district, where he was found with the firearm and ammunition he had stolen from his grandfather.

“The teenager was arrested and appeared in court several times before admitting to all charges, which led to his sentence,” Netshiunda said.

Young man arrested for murder

This is the second teenager sent to prison for murder.

Earlier this month, a 15-year-old boy was sentenced to five years in prison for the murder of a teenager in the Eastern Cape.

The Veeplaas resident appeared in New Brighton District Court where sentencing was handed down.

The minor pleaded guilty to the charges and admitted to unlawfully and unintentionally killing the victim by repeatedly stabbing him with a knife.

Luxolo Tyali, spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), said that in sentencing the minor to compulsory residence at the Burgerdorp Children and Youth Center under Article 76(1) of the Juvenile Justice Act No. 75 of 2008, the court considered the minor’s age and first-time offender status. He said he took it into consideration. .

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