Capetonians and the family of a 4-year-old boy who was murdered by a Cape Town man in March 2019 can find some comfort and peace knowing that the child’s killer will be in jail for a long time. The Western Cape High Court sentenced James Jacob to 98 years for the murder of the boy and attempted murder of five other people including a 11-month-old baby.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Eric Ntabazalila says Jacobs who entered into a plea and sentencing agreement was sentenced to 10 years for each of the attempted murders, 25 years for the murder of Joshua Barbers, 15 years for possession of an illegal gun and eight years for the illegal possession of ammunition.
“The court ordered that all the sentences run concurrently with the sentence imposed for the murder of Joshua Luthando Barbers, and Jacobs is effectively sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment. The court declared him unfit to possess a firearm,” Ntabazalila said.
It is alleged that Jacobs told the court he and a friend were on their way to an informal settlement in Athlone to fetch his belongings as he was no longer welcome into that community.
Prosecutor Advocate, Bonginkosi Maki said Jacobs had turned the deceased toddler’s safe space, his home, into a death trap when he fired shots at their home and emotionally traumatized the parents of the deceased, as he was shot in front of them.
“The court must continuously endeavour to be the vanguard of the interests of the vulnerable members of the society, especially the children, as this honourable court is the upper guardian of the children like the deceased.
“The accused violated the deceased’s right to life, as enshrined in the Constitution,” said Maki.
The prosecution and investigating team was commended by Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Nicolette Bell for the work they did which forced the accused to enter into a plea and sentencing agreement as evidence was piled against him.
Also read:
Man dies in an alleged gang-related shooting, woman and a baby injured
Picture: CapeTown ETC