Killer necrophiliac comes ‘clean'

Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - While there was a great sense of relief among those gathered in the Knysna Circuit High Court last week when the man convicted of raping and murdering Plettenberg Bay hospice nurse Penny Cumming was handed two life sentences, her killer's sudden revelations before judgement and sentencing left friends and family reeling.

Gcobani Lokwe, who initially pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of the 63-year-old Schoongezicht Country Estate resident in January last year, was convicted and sentenced on 4 April.

Judge Patric Gamble sentenced him to life behind bars for the rape and a second life term for Cumming's murder (strangulation). He was sentenced to a further 15 years' imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances and 10 years for housebreaking with the intent to rob. The sentences will run concurrently.

Lokwe 'coming clean'
But in a sudden turn of events before judgement and sentencing, Lokwe indicated he wanted to take the stand again and "come clean".

He explained that after using drugs he went to Cumming's home in the estate. During his bail application last year, he indicated that he knew Cumming as he had worked for her at some stage.

He said last week that he gained entry to her house through a dining room window, but that this tripped the alarm. He testified that he heard Cumming on the phone to the security company and decided to go back out through the window and head to the front door. He said he then pretended to be a security guard, prompting Cumming to open the door.

He went on to describe how he threatened Cumming and grabbed her from behind as she attempted to flee down the passage towards the guest bedrooms. Lokwe admitted that he then strangled her there.

'Evil came over' him
Lokwe further said that "evil came over" him and that he then raped her corpse. Following the act, he washed the body to remove DNA evidence and covered her with citronella oil.

He also told the court he proceeded to ransack her house, packed up valuable items from her home, placed it in her Volvo SUV and drove out of the estate in her car.

Cumming's body was found on the floor of her home by a friend on 29 January last year. The vehicle was later found near Nekkies in Knysna, and Lokwe was arrested in Kwanokuthula the following day where he was hiding near a school.

Throughout the trial, Lokwe claimed his innocence despite DNA evidence placing him at the crime scene.

'Consensual' intercourse
During his first stint in the witness stand, Lokwe claimed he had had consensual sex with Cumming and that when he left, she had still been alive. He also claimed forensic evidence found at the scene was planted there by authorities.

During sentencing, Gamble said Lokwe did not make a full and frank disclosure to the court and described him a "shocking" witness.

He added that Lokwe's sudden confession confirmed his dishonesty and manipulation and left him an unreliable witness. Gamble said his attempt at a confession and absolution had nothing to do with remorse or apology, but rather to save himself and in hope of a lesser sentence.

Gamble concluded that the accused is a dangerous individual and that society demanded to be protected against such an individual.

Visible relief
Friends and family who gathered in the gallery were visibly relieved at Lokwe's sentences as tears streamed down their faces.

One of those who attended court proceedings was Plettenberg Bay activist Joanne Barrett. She also led the charge in attempts to see that Lokwe did not receive bail, which included a massive petition of more than 5 000 signatures.

"The last moments Mrs Cumming endured must have been terrifying. For a woman who was so caring to others, especially in her work where she freely gave her time to care for terminally ill people to leave this world in peace, to have suffered at the hands of this monster, the sentence handed down is appropriate," Barrett said.

She also commended the investigating officer Warrant Officer Wynand Westraadt who worked around the clock to bring Cumming's murderer to book.

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