Scourge of GBV cases in Mpumalanga amid the 16 Days of Activism – two men sentenced to life
Perpetrators continue to be charged and sentenced during the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
While the 16 Days of Activism campaign commenced on November 25, the province appears to be plagued by a scourge of gender-based violence cases. The wheel of justice continues to turn as GBV perpetrators are charged and sentenced for their wrongdoings.
In a statement released on December 7, the provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said on Thursday, December 6, Thandi Mohloadiba (34) appeared in the KwaMhlanga Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stabbing her male partner to death and then concealing the body.
The deceased, Dan Mtsweni (31), was later discovered in the grazing field in Tweefontein B2 on Monday, December 2.
“Mtsweni disappeared and was reported missing by his mother at the Tweefontein Police Station on November 27. On December 2, a passer-by came across a semi-decomposed body wrapped in a blanket and floor carpet. This police found the body had visible stab wounds. A rope was also tied around the neck,” Mdhluli said.
During the investigations, the victim was later identified by his mother. Mohlaodiba was arrested and charged with murder.
“The case was postponed to December 18 for a formal bail application. More charges could be added against the suspect as the investigation continues,” Mdhluli said.
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In another case, a 42-year-old Mozambican national, Fernando Chowe, was sentenced to life for the murder of his partner in front of her son and nephew in Shabalala Trust outside Hazyview in December 2022.
“After a year-long investigation, Chowe was arrested in January 2024 and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Mbombela on November 27,” Mdhluli said.
He added that the KwaMhlanga Regional Court had recently sentenced a rapist to life after he was found guilty of three counts of rape committed between 2017 and 2021, targeting minors aged between 10 and 17.
“In these horrific cases, he kidnapped a 10-year-old victim, raped a 17-year-old victim at gunpoint, and raped a 13-year-old girl at her residence. He was sentenced to three life terms to run concurrently and was declared unfit to possess a firearm or work with children,” Mdhluli said.
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