Relatives of June Nefdt, who was killed by her gardener, will focus on celebrating her life as the case into her murder is closed.
|||Cape Town - Relatives of June Nefdt, 72, who was killed inside her Athlone home by her gardener, will focus on celebrating her life now that the case into her murder has been closed.
Nefdt’s killer, Rudolph Jones, 62, was sentenced to an effective 18 years behind bars after he entered into a plea and sentence agreement with the State on Thursday.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Nefdt’s son-in-law, Justin Diedericks, said the finalisation of the case had given the family the ability to move on and celebrate the great woman that she was.
“Although no punishment could ever bring back our beloved mother, grandmother and friend, whose departure was so untimely, we believe that justice has been served.
“With time I am sure the family will be able to forgive, as this is what she would have done in keeping with the Christian way in which she lived her life,” Diedericks said. “Our family is relieved that this part of our trauma is closed and we can now truly honour and celebrate her life by keeping her memory alive and living our lives in a manner that would make her proud.”
On Thursday, Western Cape High Court Judge President John Hlophe sentenced Jones to 18 years imprisonment for murder and a concurrent 10 years for trying to rob Nefdt on June 11.
In the plea, Jones admitted that on that afternoon he and Nefdt had argued about money he claimed she owed him.
A scuffle ensued, and Jones grabbed her and strangled her to death with a scarf inside her bedroom.
Jones had regularly done gardening and odd jobs for Nefdt at her home in Athlone.
Jones further admitted that after the murder he ransacked the cupboards and drawers inside the house, unsuccessfully looking for money.
Factors considered in aggravation of sentence included Nefdt’s age, the fact that she was brutally killed inside the privacy of her home and that her family were still struggling to come to terms with her death.
In court on Thursday, Nefdt’s relatives sobbed uncontrollably during and after the court proceedings.
The court heard that Jones had no previous convictions for violent crimes, worked as a security officer and supported his family.
“Take him down to the cells, court is adjourned,” Judge Hlophe said after sentencing. Jones was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
jade.otto@inl.co.za
Cape Argus