A 45-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court on September 15 for the murder of his girlfriend.

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The court heard that the couple lived with their four children outside White River. Their relationship had deteriorated over time, resulting in the woman obtaining a protection order against her partner.

Fatal attack following argument

On November 12, 2021, the man accused his girlfriend of being involved with her former boyfriend during an argument at their home. He initially left the premises, but later returned armed with a knife.

Upon finding his girlfriend at a neighbour’s house, he chased her until she fell and repeatedly stabbed her in full view of their children.

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She died at the scene as a result of the multiple stab wounds. The accused fled after the attack, but was subsequently arrested. He remained in custody throughout the proceedings after the State successfully opposed his release on bail.

During the trial, he pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted of murder.

Children detail trauma in impact statement

In aggravation of sentence, State Advocate Natalie Msibi highlighted the devastating impact of gender-based violence on communities and submitted that the accused had shown no genuine remorse for his actions. She argued that his decision to plead guilty was informed by the overwhelming evidence against him, and urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.

The State also presented a victim impact statement facilitated by court preparation officer Nomfundo Mokoena and compiled by the deceased’s children. The statement detailed the profound emotional, psychological and financial consequences of the murder on the family, particularly on the children who witnessed the brutal killing of their mother.

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In imposing sentence, the court underscored the seriousness of the offence, noting that an innocent and defenceless woman had been murdered by a person who claimed to love her. Finding no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence, the court sentenced the convict to life imprisonment and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the sentence as a significant measure of justice for the victim and her family.