The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Mbombela, South Africa has delivered a life imprisonment verdict to Themba Stsompana Mahlangu, a 45-year-old man, for the premeditated murder of his girlfriend, Tumelo Maria Mamogale.
Monica Nyuswa, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional spokesperson, and DPP Mpumalanga, issued a statement on Monday, October 16, 2023, confirming the sentencing. The incident occurred while Mahlangu and the deceased were residing together in Mashishing, within the Thaba Chweu district.
On the early morning of October 4, 2022, the deceased’s neighbors heard her screams and rushed to investigate. They witnessed Mahlangu assaulting Mamogale, using his fists and forcefully slamming her against a neighbor’s gate.
Although the neighbors attempted to intervene, Mahlangu initially appeared to relent. However, once they returned to their homes, he continued the brutal assault, ultimately resorting to stabbing the victim with a broken bottle.
Realizing that Mamogale was no longer responsive, Mahlangu fled the scene, leaving her fighting for her life. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries and passed away.
The accused was apprehended on the same day and pleaded not guilty, asserting that they were attacked by an unknown group of four males on the day of the incident.
During the trial, State Advocate Antoinette Nkosi presented the testimonies of three neighbors who had witnessed the crime, supported by the observations of an investigating officer at the crime scene. These accounts were corroborated by a postmortem report that confirmed the cause of death as a sharp force injury to the neck.
In the sentencing phase, Advocate Antoinette Nkosi submitted a victim impact statement, prepared by the deceased’s mother and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Zodwa Lekhuleni.
The statement emphasized the profound impact of Mamogale’s death on her family, as her mother struggled to come to terms with her loss and had to take on the roles of both grandmother and mother to Mamogale’s minor children.
Before passing the sentence, Acting Judge Sheila Msibi acknowledged the distressing prevalence of violent crimes, particularly gender-based violence in domestic relationships within the country.
The court concluded that there were no compelling reasons to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence and subsequently sentenced the accused to life imprisonment. Additionally, the court ruled that the accused was unfit to possess a firearm.
| LIB
