The commitment and determination of investigators deployed to bring serious and violent criminals to book resulted in a positive outcome with the lengthy incarceration of Henry Molligan (29) and John McCombi(45) at the High Court’ in Knysna on Thursday, 16 September 2021 after they were convicted for the death of elderly man.

Exactly two years ago, on 16 September 2019, the accused entered the residence of the 76-year-old Peter Henson at Paul Kruger Street, Sedgefield (Knysna). They assaulted the man and robbed him of valuables before they fled the scene.

A member of the public later stopped next to the pair who is known to him in the approximate vicinity. He enquired about their whereabouts when he noticed the victim’s dog wandering the street. In an effort to secure the dog’s safety he took it to the owner’s residence where he made the gruesome discovery and found the victim with a stab wound to the head on the floor.

The victim sustained multiple injuries and a stab wound to the head. He was later declared deceased by medical personnel on scene.

The following day, 17 September 2019, police proceeded with the investigation when they conducted an operation at a house at Geelblom Street, Smutsville (Sedgefield). Upon entering the premises they found the two men with some of the stolen items inside. Both were arrested on charges of house robbery, robbery with aggravating circumstances and murder.

The accused were convicted on Monday, 13 September 2021 and today sentenced as follow:

Accused 1 (Henry Molligan)

• Robbery with aggravating circumstances – 10 years imprisonment,

• Murder – 25 years imprisonment of which 5 years is suspended

He was effectively sentenced to 30 years imprisonment.

Accused 2 (John McCombi)

• Robbery with aggravating circumstances – 15 years imprisonment

• Murder – Life imprisonment

Both sentences will run concurrently.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, had nothing but praise for the detection and prosecution teams who were instrumental in the long-term imprisonment which was meted against these perpetrators. He also thanked the member of the public, also a member of the Community Police Forum, for his vigilance and positive attitude during the course of the investigation. His cooperation and commitment in the fight against crime does not go unnoticed.

Source: South African Police Service