Double murder accused sentenced
The accused stabbed his girlfriend 10 times in the neck and stabbed his son 12 times in the heart with a sharp object.
Last Wednesday, the Limpopo High Court sentenced David Matjila (45) of Apiesdoring to two life terms for the murder of his girlfriend, Farina Valencia Mahlake, and his son, Kgoitsane Mahlake.
On the night of August 14, 2021, Matjila went to Apiesdoring where the victims were staying. Upon his arrival, an argument ensued between Matjila and Mahlake.
Later, the accused stabbed his girlfriend 10 times in the neck and stabbed his son 12 times in the heart with a sharp object.
He then covered the deceased with a blanket and slept next to them. The following day, Matjila fled the scene after a concerned resident alerted the police.
He was arrested later on the same day while travelling in a taxi to Hammanskraal.
The case was investigated by Sergeant Thelma Mokwena of Burgersfort Detectives. She successfully opposed bail when the accused appeared in the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court.
“During the trial, Matjila pleaded guilty. In his plea, he stated that he saw a text message on Mahlake’s cellphone, which showed that she was talking to a man, which made him suspect that she was cheating
on him.
“He first hit her with a soft drink bottle and then stabbed her several times. After he realised she was dead, he attempted to kill himself and failed. He then decided to kill the child by stabbing him in the chest,”
said Limpopo NPA spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi.
She said the court convicted the accused, and stated there was a process of reasoning that proved premeditation. Two life sentences were appropriate on both counts, the court said.
Matjila was handed two life sentences. They will run concurrently.
The director of public prosecutions, Adv Ivy Thenga, commended Adv Malebo Maleka and Mokwena for ensuring that the gender-based violence and femicide perpetrator received an appropriate sentence.
