Ex-Bucs star is put behind bars

FORMER Orlando Pirates star Mandla Sithole had a look of disbelief on his face when a court orderly ushered him from the court room down to the holding cells

Moments earlier, Roodepoort magistrate John Baloyi had revoked Sithole's R5,000 bail, condemning the burly former soccer star to a week behind bars before he knows whether he will serve a direct prison sentence or be sentenced to correctional supervision instead.

Gone was the privilege of a leisurely walk into court, partly a free man with friends and family surrounding him.

Baloyi will pass sentence on June 8.

Sithole was convicted on March 25 for the 2009 murder of Thulani Ndlovu.

Sithole, 48, was found guilty of stabbing Ndlovu to death on May 24 2009 when Ndlovu told him he did not have the R100 he owed him.

The court heard that Sithole grabbed Ndlovu by the neck, took out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.

The former footballer's lawyer, Jurg Huysamen, asked magistrate Baloyi to show leniency to Sithole because he was an "asset".

"The accused is an asset to society," said Huysamen. "He is not a criminal in the true sense of the word. What happened on the day was an isolated incident."

Huysamen said Sithole showed remorse by his actions following the stabbing. "The accused took responsibility for what he did by trying to save the deceased's life. He is not a candidate for imprisonment."

However, Ndlovu's sister, Jabulile, said she did not consider Sithole's actions as those of a person who was remorseful.

She said: "The fact that he stabbed Thulani in front of our house shows he does not respect us."

Jabulile said Sithole should have observed culture by immediately introducing himself to the family and explaining what he had done.

The sister took the witness stand and broke down twice before the magistrate adjourned the hearing while she regained her composure.

Asked by prosecutor Linda Duma what sentence she wanted the court to impose, Jabulile took a lengthy pause and answered: "A harsh sentence because Thulani was badly injured and we were badly affected as a family."