The Western Cape High Court found Gcinilelitha Ngcobelothe and his friend Lwazi Ntsibantsiba guilty for the murder of an elderly Cape Town couple.
One of the accused, Ngcobelothe was a gardener in the employ of the murdered couple, Rugeya and Riedwaan Addinall.
The state plans to make a request from the court to impose life imprisonment for each of the two murders.
Ngcobelothe and Ntsibantsiba are said to have strangled the 82-year-old couple inside the house in Sandown Drive, Ottery on January 5 2019.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Western Cape Eric Ntabazalila detailed the state in which the couple was found.
Ntabazalila said rat poison pellets were found in the woman’s mouth. They attempted to steal various gadgets and the keys to the couple’s vehicle. Ntabazalila said they could not take the loot with them as the vehicle could not start.
“The couple’s bodies were found by family members in the living room of their house, which showed a struggle with upturned furniture, strewn household items and shopping on the floor.”
During the court appearance the duo played tit for tat when they accused one another for the double murders.
A total of 31 witnesses were called, and photographs and CCTV footage was used to strengthen the case against the accused.
The court dismissed Ntsibantsiba’s version that he was an innocent bystander threatened by Ngcobelothe.
The case resumes on November 3 for sentencing.
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