The hefty sentence given to a Willowvale man who murdered a local resident who had come to the aid of a group of women he was holding hostage should serve as a deterrent to would-be murderers, Eastern Cape police said yesterday.

The hefty sentence given to a Willowvale man who murdered a local resident who had come to the aid of a group of women he was holding hostage should serve as a deterrent to would-be murderers, Eastern Cape police said yesterday.

While Joint Masana was in a house in Willowvale in May last year, he had pointed a gun at five women who had accused him of murdering another person, said police spokesman Captain Lingisele Magama.

Masana took three cellphones from the women at gunpoint and locked the door of the house.

People outside realised that something was happening and mobilised a team who tried to push the door open to get the women out.

But Masana began firing wildly through the door and killed one of the people trying to help - 38-year-old Mbuyisela Ndumiso.

Masana ran away but was later traced and arrested.

In the Mthatha high court on Monday, Masana was sentenced to life for murder, 20 years for armed robbery, 10 years for possession of an unlicensed firearm and five years for possession of ammunition. - Sapa