A former KwaMashu police Station constable has been convicted of murder by the Indwedwe Regional Court, the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) said on Monday.

Spokesperson Moses Dlamini said Njinga Richman Chili was on Friday sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for the murder of Bheki Xulu (41).

Xulu had intervened in a scuffle between Chili and another man with whom he was arguing at a house party on 16 November 2008.

Chili later called Xulu over to talk to him, but shortly after their discussion began, pulled out his service pistol and shot Xulu three times. He died on the scene. Chili handed himself over at a nearby police station.

In his defence, Chili claimed that Xulu tried to stab him and rob him of his pistol. The court rejected his version of events.