Mbombela – A Mpumalanga man was sentenced to a fine of R20 000 (or six years’ imprisonment) in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Friday for killing a man in self-defence.

Ernest Friday Motau, 29, from Schoemanskloof, was arrested in June 2010 for stabbing and killing Johannes Kanego Theledi, 34, during a fight outside a tavern.

Magistrate Shirley Msibi told the court Motau had not wasted the court’s time as he pleaded guilty.

“All witnesses stated clearly that you stabbed the deceased in self-defence after you were attacked by a group of men while trying to stop a fight. On evidence provided before the court, you were assaulted and hit with a beer bottle before stabbing him.

“Although you were convicted for assault in 2004, that will not be considered, as you have not been in conflict with the law ever since,” Msibi told Motau.

Motau was initially charged with murder, which was later changed to culpable homicide. Msibi said all those involved were drunk at the time.

She told Msibi he was unfit to possess a firearm, and ruled that half the sentence be suspended for five years, on condition he was not arrested and charged for a similar offence.

“You are also offered an option to pay the fine in instalments until it is completed,” said Msibi. – Sapa