Samantha Zungu’s killer described as an animal
Thamsanqa Somfaka to be sentenced on Wednesday.
Kwatsaduza – Samantha Zungu’s killer was described as an ‘animal’ during the closing arguments of the case at the Pretoria High Court on Wednesday.
Thamsanqa Somfaka has been found guilty of the murder of Zungu.
On August 13 last year Zungu (35), who was eight months pregnant, was assaulted with a stove poker by Thamsanqa Somfaka after finding her in bed with his cousin.
During the trial, the court heard that Zungu arrived at the hospital bleeding from her nose, ears and mouth, and had sustained internal injuries.
She was declared dead on her arrival at Pholosong Hospital.
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The accused made a confession to five witnesses, paramedics, a neighbour, mother of the deceased, a staff nurse and a matron at the hospital.
On Wednesday the accused’s defence, Advocate Moeng asked the court to be lenient when sentencing Somfaka.
He asked the court to consider his living conditions and that he was a father of four (two of the youngest he had with the deceased), and that he had previously attended anger management classes during his previous conviction.
His lawyer argued that the accused was pushed to act in the manner that he did because of the circumstances.
Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela responded to this argument stating that the accused transforms into an animal under certain circumstances.
“If that is the case, do we need such people in society? It doesn’t matter what the victim did, it doesn’t give anyone the right to turn into an animal and go savage on anyone,” he added.
Maumela said the accused came across as rude to the paramedics, the deceased’s family and medical personnel.
“He boasted to the medical personnel, and the deceased’s mother that the deceased should not have gotten into a relationship with other people.
“The accused lacked a sense of conscience, by chosing to redirect the ambulance from rushing to the hospital but prioritised going to her home to get fresh clothes.
“He continued to redirect the ambulance to the deceased’s family to collect fresh clothes as the clothes that she was wearing were soaked in water and blood. Zungu’s health was not a priority to him.
“This is something that I have never heard of, Zungu was bleeding and fighting for her life but he chose to go fetch fresh clothes,” he added.
The case has been postponed to December 7 for sentencing.
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