NELSPRUIT- A 52-year-old man who shot and killed his wife during a family-cleansing ceremony at Majika Trust near Sandriver was sentenced to 25 years in jail.
Godfrey Stayi Sengwane was found guilty of killing his wife Ms Zodwa Indlalani Sengwane on March 3, 2013 by firing at her six times with his illegal firearm. He was also convicted of being in possession of an illegal firearm, ammunition and intimidating his daughter, Ms Cynthia Sonto Sengwane.
During the mitigation of his sentence Godfrey told the court that he had been annoyed at seeing his wife hugging a young man from the village, Mr Siboniso Nonyane and lost his temper after his wife had repeatedly insulted him for chasing away the young man.
He then took his firearm which was hidden under his car seat and fired shots at Zodwa.
His defence lawyer told the court that there had been provocation and consumption of alcohol prior to the offence and his client did not show remorse as he repeatedly distanced himself from an argument he had had earlier with Cynthia.
The judge, Mr Eben Jordaan found Godfrey guilty on all charges. He was sentenced to three years for the intimidation, 15 years for illegal possession of firearm, three years for illegal possession of ammunition and 25 years for the murder of his wife. All of them will run concurrently.
According to the charge sheet, an argument ensued between Godfrey and Cynthia. He threatened to shoot her and she went to the police station to report these threats. The SAPS accompanied her to the place where the ceremony was and did not find the accused.
He later shot his wife, killing her. The post-mortem showed that the deceased had died of multiple gunshot wounds with haemorrhagic shock.
Godfrey initially pleaded not guilty to all the charges despite the fact that all witnesses, including his daughter and other members of the family told the court how he fatally shot his wife and attempted to shoot those who had attempted to chase him.
“Your child and family testify that you shot and killed your wife,” said Adv Lawrence More during the cross-examination of the accused.
The advocate continued to question him why would his own children and family implicate him as his wife’s murderer. Godfrey then told the court that he was sorry for what had happened, although remained to state that he was innocent.
When asked why it had taken him so long to apologise, he said it was because he wanted to give the witnesses a chance to release all the hate and anger in their minds.
The judge then asked the accused if he had killed his wife. “I’m hurting with what happened,” he responded.
Outside court, members of his family said they were satisfied with the sentence. “We wanted him to be sent to jail for life because that is what he deserves,” said his brother-in-law, Mr Mafikizolo Mdluli.
He added that his family would take care of the couple’s children. Family members described their relationship as abusive, stating that Godfrey had previously attempted to shoot Zodwa with a firearm which she later then threw into a pit latrine. “He also assaulted her with an axe,” they added.
