18 years for shooting cop

A Port Elizabeth man has been jailed for an effective 18 years 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 Eastern Cape High Court in Port Elizabeth yesterday after he was last month convicted on charges of murder, attempted murder and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

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

Before sentencing, Charles lashed out at the media for taking his picture. “They making me nervous! They must stop!” he said.

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

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

Speaking after court proceedings, Hattingh’s father, John, said he was not satisfied with the sentence. “I feel he could at least have got 25 years; 18 years for murder is not enough,” he said. – ANA

The accused was not honest with the court ... he did not say why he killed the deceased. Judge Phakamisa Tshiki