A Zululand man was jailed for 10 years on Monday for killing a teacher 11 years ago.

Bhekinkosi Radio Ndebele (32), of Mtubatuba, told the Pietermaritzburg High Court he shot dead the teacher, Maqhawe Biyela (30), at the behest of his uncle, Solomon Ndebele.

Ndebele, who was arrested recently for an unrelated crime, said his uncle, who was in bad terms with Biyela, promised to help him finish his schooling.

He had left school when his father died and had no support.

Solomon Ndebele has been arrested and Ndebele has agreed to testify for the State in the murder case against his uncle.

Had Ndebele not confessed, the Biyela murder would have remained unsolved as the docket had been closed.

Judge Piet Koen said it remained a mystery why Ndebele had agreed to do Solomon's dirty work without any financial incentive.

He could only conclude that Solomon took advantage of his youth and immaturity by promising to help him finish schooling.

Ndebele at first told Solomon that he did not know how to use the murder weapon, an AK47, but Solomon had obtained one and taught Ndebele to use it.

He provided the fare for Ndebele to go to Biyela's house and shoot him in the head.

Solomon arranged to be away at the time of the murder as it was generally known that he and Biyela were not on good terms.

Koen said Biyela was killed in the prime of his life while there was a dire need for teachers.

Ndebele appeared to be a candidate for rehabilitation in view of the fact that had come clean and agreed to testify for the State, Koen said.

Sapa