THE brother of slain Soweto lawyer Isaac Ramotsela trusts that justice will prevail.

THE brother of slain Soweto lawyer Isaac Ramotsela trusts that justice will prevail.

He yesterday also described his death as gruesome.

"My feeling is that the crime was gruesome and justice must be served," Makabo Ramotsela said.

Ramotsela was gunned down outside his home by Nkosinathi Zungu, the ex-boyfriend of his girlfriend Fundi Ganda on March 10 2007.

Ganda, who was crippled in the attack, has two children with Zungu. Though Zungu, who escaped from the court in February last year (and is still on the run), admitted to shooting the couple, he told the court it had been his mission not to kill but cripple them.

Zungu and Tshepo Sonai pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and attempted murder but Judge Sisi Khampepe found them guilty.

Ramotsela said his brother played an important role, not only in the family but also in the community. He said the community was "shocked and devastated" by his murder.

Sonai apologised to the Ramotsela family.

"Losing a family member who was of great help in the family and community is painful. I'm saddened by what happened. The person who did this is not here. I was there when the shooting happened but I didn't agree to it and was not involved," he said.

Arguing in mitigation of sentence, state prosecutor Arveena Persad said Ganda was emotionally traumatised by the incident.

"The scars will remain with her for the rest of her life," she said.

Sonai and Zungu will be sentenced today.

"I believe in the courts. The family will accept any sentence that will be handed down," said Ramotsela.