Pretoria court convicts man for killing his wife in Atteridgeville
Man says he was defending himself during the physical fight, however, the state could prove that it was premeditated.
The Pretoria high court convicted Christhappy Foster Maluleke (41) of Saulsville for the murder of his wife, Rirhandzu Life Shisana (33) on Monday.
Tshwane NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said an argument between Maluleke and Shisana had led to a physical fight in their Atteridgeville home on the morning of November 22, 2021 .
“During their fight, the deceased succumbed to the injuries and died on the scene,” Mahanjana said.
“When Maluleke realised that his wife had died, he laid her on the bed and covered her body with a blanket, and fled the scene.”
According to Mahanjana, he later called the police to informed them about what had happened.
She said when the police arrived at his location, they accompanied him to the scene.
In court, Maluleke pleaded guilty but said the incident was a form of self defence and his intention had not been to kill her.
However, prosecutor Advocate David Molokomme argued the murder was premeditated saying the accused knew that he could not afford the cost of a wedding celebration and planned to kill the deceased instead.
“The fact that the accused cleaned up the scene proves that he planned the offence and therefore the state was able to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Molokomme added.
After conviction, Maluleke’s bail was extended to R10 000, under the condition that he must report to the Soshanguve police station daily.
The case has been postponed to August 14 for sentencing.
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