Two life terms for Table Mountain Killer

Blessing Bveni, the man dubbed the Table Mountain Killer, was handed two life terms in the Western Cape High last week for the murders of cyclist Ian McPherson and pilot Doug Notten.

The Zimbabwean national was also sentenced to 33 years for the attempted murder and aggravated robbery of Malcolm Esterhuizen, the assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm of David Bucklow and the aggravated robbery of Megan and Domain Steel and of Mr Notten’s wife, Julia.

In sentencing Bveni, Judge Judith Cloete described him as “cruel” and “cold hearted”.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Eric Ntabazalila said the terms would run concurrently.

Bveni stabbed Mr Notten, 57, to death in January 2018 while he and his wife, Julia, were hiking near Echo Valley above Boyes Drive.

A few weeks later, on March 2018, he stabbed Mr McPherson to death while the 68-year-old was cycling near Brigantine Avenue in Sun Valley.

Bveni faced 10 charges for various crimes he committed in the Table Mountain National Park, and he was found guilty on all charges in December last year.

Renford Brand, a close friend of Mr McPherson, said that considering the state of the judicial system, he believed that justice had been served.

He was grateful to all who had helped to ensure that Bveni paid for his crimes.

Steve Hayward, chairman of the Pedal Power Association South Africa (PPA), said that no matter how harsh the sentence it could never justify that taking of someone's life.

“PPA is very grateful though that another criminal has been removed from society and will not be able to do harm to anyone else,” he said.