A taxi driver was sentenced to 20 years in the High Court sitting at the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court last Thursday.
The murder accused, Thamsanqa Voyi (54) contravened a protection order and stabbed his girlfriend, Suzan Nthoba (36) eleven times in 2016.
The North Gauteng High Court acting judge, Andre Petersen sentenced him to five years for contravening the domestic violence act (protection order) and 20 years for murder. The sentences will run concurrently and he will serve an effective 20 years in prison.
What happened to Suzan Nthoba?
After speaking to Suzan Nthoba’s 78-year-old aunt, Annah Mdedetyane in 2016, the Herald reported how Voyi had come to Nthoba’s home that night and sent her 7-year-old daughter out to buy a cool drink.
‘On her way to the tuck-shop, she heard her mother screaming and went back to see what was wrong. When she went into the house she saw the man stabbing her mother,’ said Annah.
The mother took the child into her arms but, instead of softening, Voyi lunged at her in his rage and nicked the girl’s arm with the blade. After delivering the fatal stab wound, the suspect flung her mother’s body onto the bedroom floor and fled the scene.
The hysterical child ran screaming to the neighbour, who then called the police.
According to the SAPS spokesperson, Sgt Kelebogile Trom, the police received the call at 18:45. They arrived to find the body with several stab wounds. Voyi handed himself to the police half an hour later.
Photo: Selogile Leshage
How did the incident affect the children?
As in all murder cases, the family of the victims are the ones who suffer and are expected to pick up the pieces. The case drew attention to the daughter of the deceased who is still traumatised to this day.
Suzan left behind her own two children, a nine-year-old daughter, Lebogang, and fifteen-year-old son, Letlhogonolo.
Her brother, Norman Mphoselwa, took the stand on Thursday before the sentencing and told the court that the deceased’s siblings are now looking after the children.
‘Lebogang is still traumatised by what she saw. She has been seeing a psychologist since the incident. She still receives counselling twice a month which cost R600. We battle to raise that money and end up using her social grant for the counselling.
‘On Monday when we came to court she asked us, where is Voyi? The girl still harbours anger. When I mention the name Voyi, she becomes irritated and starts to cry. She goes to school but, after her mother’s death, her grades have deteriorated.’
Norman told the court the child has nightmares. ‘Sometimes, she jerks and screams in her sleep.’
The young girl endured a lot of trauma and was unable to testify.
Norman says his sister’s son used to be a quiet boy. ‘After the passing of his mother, he has developed an anger towards men. He used to do very well at school but his results are just average now,’ he said.
The girl will grow up without motherly love, Adv. More
Adv. Lawrence More, the state prosecutor told the court the girl would grow up without the love and protection of her mother. ‘This will affect them for the rest of their lives. The deceased died a cruel and brutal death in the privacy of her home, a place where it is regarded as safe,’ he said. He argued that the accused should not be given the prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years in jail.
Adv. Jan Ellis argued that ‘the accused understood how the family felt – he had heard the evidence that they don’t want his name mentioned. ‘He still apologises for the destruction he caused the family…nobody should die in such a fashion. We should not forget that the accused showed remorse. After the incident, when the child ran out of the house, he was shocked and immediately went to the police.’
Judge Petersen said there was no substantial or compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed sentence of 15 years. He said the mitigating circumstances were eclipsed by the aggravating circumstances.
He stressed the seriousness of the domestic violence act. ‘Had it not been for the violation of the domestic violence act we wouldn’t be sitting here dealing with this callous and gruesome murder.
The concept of life is in the centre of our constitution. If there is no life, there is no human being. It is a sad, bad reflection on our society that 21 years in our democracy after Apartheid we are still grappling with the scourge of domestic violence. The courts across the country deal with the abuse of women and children on a daily basis,’ he said.
The judge called on society to return to Ubuntu and family values and the importance of respect for life.
I want to serve the whole sentence so the family will heal
After the sentencing, Voyi told the media that he would continue to preach the gospel of God in prison and would not appeal the sentence.
‘I want to serve the whole sentence so the family will heal. I regret what I did and have sent condolences to them,’ he said.
The court heard earlier how Voyi had written a letter apologising to the family and had given it to his Bishop to deliver. When he arrived at the family’s house and mentioned Voyi’s name, they showed him the door because they didn’t want anything to do with him or the contents of that letter.
Family satisfied with the sentence
Norman says the family is satisfied with the sentence.
‘Justice was served. I was worried that the judge would sentence him to 15 years in prison; that would have been heart-breaking. I am glad he empathised with the children and what they were feeling. Going forward will be difficult, we will continue to support the children. I know that we will never see Suzan. I will never get a chance to hold her hand. The accused will at least hug her children when they visit him in prison. As a family we would never allow parole,’ he said.
The niece of the deceased, Nandi Mphoselwa says at least the case has been concluded. He must not be granted parole. It will hard to forget. The trial opened up old wounds, as time goes they will surely heal…we will finally accept that she’s is gone,’ she said sadly.
