Durban — One of two men convicted of killing a Durban University of Technology (DUT) lecturer broke down in the dock during sentencing on Thursday.
Mlungisi Richard Ndlovu, 26, and Lwazi Nelson Daca, 25, convicted of killing Dr Euvette Taylor appeared for their sentencing proceedings in the Durban High Court.
Taylor, 30, was found dead at his Winterton residence on the Steve Biko campus in 2019.
He was a registered homoeopath and employed at DUT’s faculty of health sciences.
The pair were charged with two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
In February 2019, according to the indictment, they planned and assaulted Taylor with the intention to kill him at his residence.
It said they took his vehicle, a VW Amarok, two TV sets, a laptop and other items.
It further stated that on March 15 the pair killed Willem Joseph Pieter Cordier, who was Daca’s stepfather.
“The accused did unlawfully and intentionally assault Euvette Cadian Taylor and did there and then with force take the items or the property in the lawful possession of Euvette Cadian Taylor with aggravating circumstances and causing grievous bodily harm.
“On March 2019, the accused unlawfully and intentionally conspired among themselves and with others unknown to the State to aid and procure the commission of or commit the offence of murder to unlawfully and intentionally kill Willem Joseph Pieter Cordier,” read the indictment.
Speaking in the dock, Daca broke down and said Cordier sexually and physically assaulted him after he had asked his grandmother’s permission to live with him.
“My grandmother worked as a domestic worker in a house in Durban North.
“She worked for a lady called Cheryl and I called her aunt. I would visit her every now and then. Mr Cordier was renting a cottage at Aunt Cheryl’s and that is how I knew him.
“As time went by he asked my grandmother if he could be a father figure to me.
“My grandmother agreed and I moved in with Aunt Cheryl. I was happy. Everything went smoothly,” said Daca.
He said he was not aware that Cordier was sexually assaulting him in the beginning.
“A few months later, he started making me touch his manhood. I was uncomfortable but also I did not have the backbone to say so.
“It went on for some time until I had the courage to tell him.”
The matter was adjourned to December 5, after the prosecutor granted Daca permission to get a psychologist’s report.
Daily News