Eighteen years’ jail for cop killer

A PORT Elizabeth man has been jailed for an effective 18 years behind bars for the murder of off-duty policeman Constable Devin Hattingh.

Hattingh, a father of three, was shot and killed while escorting a truck to Motherwell in July 2014.

At the time he was doing extra private work to supplement his income.

Nqaba Charles, 26, was sentenced in the Port Elizabeth High Court yesterday after he was convicted on charges of murder, attempted murder and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition in March.

A co-accused, Jabulani Makaba, was acquitted on all charges.

Prior to sentencing, Charles criticised photographers and reporters for taking his picture.

“They’re making me nervous! They must stop!” he said.

In passing sentence, Judge Phakamisa Tshiki said that it was his view that Hattingh’s family had lost a breadwinner who had been trying to earn extra income.

“The accused was not honest with the court, he didn’t take the court into his confidence and did not say why he killed the deceased,” said Judge Tshiki.

On the count of murder, Charles was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment, on the charge of attempted murder he received 10 years, a further 15 years for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and 10 years for the possession of ammunition.

The sentences will run concurrently.

At the time of his murder, Hattingh was stationed at Mount Road police station, together with his wife, Blanche.

On the day of his killing the couple had worked a shift together.

Speaking after court proceedings, Hattingh’s father, John, said he was glad the case was over.

But he was not satisfied with the sentence handed down to the accused.

“I feel that he could have at least got 25 years; 18 years for murder is not enough,” he said. – ANA