THOHOYANDOU – HULISANI Mathaga (20), was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment by the Thohoyandou High Court on Monday for murdering his girlfriend, Tondani Mashau (17), and her mother, Florence Mashau (39) at their home in Mashau village in December last year.
The court heard that Mathaga had a relationship with Tondani, who was a gr. 11 learner at Maligana High School, and the two had a baby together.
The relationship was shaky and shortly after Mathaga finished writing his gr. 12 exams at Vhudzani High School, Tondani ended the relationship. Mathaga refused to accept this.
The court heard that Mathaga stole his grandfather’s firearm and went to Tondani’s home where he shot her in cold blood.
He also shot her mother as she tried to flee from the house.
Tondani’s twin sister, Tendani, witnessed the entire incident.
“I jumped out of the window after the first shot was fired and hid behind the house,” she testified.
Sentencing him, judge Ephraim Makgoba imposed the 18 year sentence for the two murders as well as the theft of the firearm.
He said the verdict would send a clear message to men who did not respect other people’s lives.
