THE Vereeniging circuit court will today sentence a police constable who killed a colleague in cold blood two years ago when he was reprimanded for drinking on duty.

THE Vereeniging circuit court will today sentence a police constable who killed a colleague in cold blood two years ago when he was reprimanded for drinking on duty.

Mohale Madibo has been found guilty of killing Captain Meshack Kalake on January 11 2008 at the Lenasia South police station, where they were both stationed.

Sentencing should have taken place yesterday but Judge Brian Spilg postponed it "in order to weigh facts and reach a decision".

Spilg convicted Madibo last week after he pleaded guilty to killing Kalake.

Madibo's lawyer, Patrick Mosite, pleaded with the court not to sentence his client to life imprisonment.

"We acknowledge the seriousness of the offence but my client pleaded guilty and did not waste the court's time. He is sincerely remorseful and apologetic," Mosite said.

"After killing Kalake he was also shot twice and dismissed from the police service. One way or another, he was punished."

He said Madibo pleaded guilty to find inner peace and was willing to accept his mistake.

Mosite said at the time of the offence Madibo was under a lot of strain due to his marital and financial problems.

Prosecutor JP Maree called for life imprisonment and said: "He did not show remorse for his actions. His problems were not Kalake's. Madibo decided to solve his problems with fatal violence. He admitted that anger was the reason for killing Kalake."

Maree said the crime was a cowardly act that led to Kalake's family losing their biggest source of income.