The noble ideas of famous historian David Rattray were destroyed by six armed robbers who went to his Fugitives Drift Lodge, shot him dead and took nothing.

The noble ideas of famous historian David Rattray were destroyed by six armed robbers who went to his Fugitives Drift Lodge, shot him dead and took nothing.

This was said yesterday by Judge Kate Pillay in the Pietermaritzburg High Court when she jailed two of the gang for life for Rattray's murder, and 10 years for the attempted robbery of Rattray and his receptionist.

The accused, Simphiwe Ndlovu, 25, and Sibonela Mponza, 28, pleaded not guilty to the crimes.

She said that the mere presence of the armed gang had aroused fear.

Rattray said to the gunmen "don't shoot".

There was no justification for killing him as they weren sufficient in number to render him immobile.

They showed a total lack of remorse.

Three other members of the gang were earlier jailed for 25 years.

The difference between them and Ndlovu and Mponza was that Ndlovu and Mponza had shown no remorse, whereas the others had done so by pleading guilty, the judge said.

A building contractor had told the court that Rattray insisted on employing locals or their families when building at the lodge.

This increased the revenue for locals. Rattray had brought many international and local tourists to the area and gave employment and sustenance to local people, the court heard. - Sapa