Magistrate Amos Khumalo described the killing as gruesome and said it was not pleasant looking at the photo album of the deceased's injuries, a Sapa correspondent reported.
Eric Tibane, 33, and his half-brother, Bongani Msimango, 25, both from Driekoppies, near Malalane, were arrested in April 2009, after Wiseman Sibusiso Vilane was murdered at the Koyoyo tavern in Driekoppies in the early hours of April 4 that year.
They both pleaded not guilty to charges of murder.
Khumalo said testimony from a witness, Vincent Mthethwa, proved beyond reasonable doubt that the two were guilty.
Mthethwa, who arrived with Vilane at the tavern, saw accused one and Vilane grab each other by the clothing, the magistrate said.
Mthethwa testified that when he and another man tried to intervene, they were both threatened with death.
Accused two, who was the barman, took an axe and struck Vilane on his forehead and neck. He then handed the axe to accused one, who hacked at Vilane's legs.
Brothers get 15 years each for axe murder
Magistrate Amos Khumalo described the killing as gruesome and said it was not pleasant looking at the photo album of the deceased's injuries, a Sapa correspondent reported.
Eric Tibane, 33, and his half-brother, Bongani Msimango, 25, both from Driekoppies, near Malalane, were arrested in April 2009, after Wiseman Sibusiso Vilane was murdered at the Koyoyo tavern in Driekoppies in the early hours of April 4 that year.
They both pleaded not guilty to charges of murder.
Khumalo said testimony from a witness, Vincent Mthethwa, proved beyond reasonable doubt that the two were guilty.
Mthethwa, who arrived with Vilane at the tavern, saw accused one and Vilane grab each other by the clothing, the magistrate said.
Mthethwa testified that when he and another man tried to intervene, they were both threatened with death.
Accused two, who was the barman, took an axe and struck Vilane on his forehead and neck. He then handed the axe to accused one, who hacked at Vilane's legs.