25 Years Imprisonment For A Murderer

The Pietermaritzburg High Court has sentenced Martin Grieb (41), to an effective 25-year imprisonment, after he pleaded guilty to the murder of Vernon Viviers (59), in August 2022, in the Prestbury area of Pietermaritzburg. Grieb and Viviers knew each other through Grieb’s girlfriend, Jade Ashli Barnard, who worked at Viviers’ takeaway. On the day of the incident, both Grieb and Barnard approached Viviers at the takeaway shop, demanding an advance payment in Barnard’s daily pay. Viviers refused them and an argument broke out, the argument turned into a physical fight where Grieb stabbed Viviers and cut his throat.

In his plea, Grieb said that he and Barnard tried to clean up the blood, but someone had alerted a private security company who had arrived on the scene. The pair ran away but were apprehended shortly after. While Grieb has pleaded guilty, Barnard is in custody.

In sentencing Grieb, the court found that he was remorseful for his actions and an eligible candidate for rehabilitation, thus deviating from the minimum sentence of life imprisonment and sentencing him to 25 years imprisonment. In court, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Adv. Mbongeni Mthembu handed in Victim Impact Statements (VIS) compiled by Viviers’ family and friends. They all spoke of his kindness to people and the fact that they would miss him dearly. The VISs were facilitated by Court Preparation Officers Thobekile Chuene and Mbali Komane.

The NPA welcomes the swift finalisation of this matter and commends the work done by the Prosecutor and the Investigating team.

Note: The NPA’s media statements are available on the website: www.npa.gov.za

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Spokesperson

KZN Division

Enquiries: nramkisson@npa.gov.za / 0716700229