POLOKWANE – The MEC for Health in Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba says the sentencing of Ntiyiso Xilumani, to life imprisonment will send a clear message to “all the men out there who still think that they can continue to abuse, kill and rape our women and children and walk free.”

Xilumani was sentenced on Tuesday, 15 September, for the murder of medical intern, Shongile Nkhwashu.

Read more: Mankweng intern, Shongile Nkwashu’s murderer sentenced to life imprisonment

“We welcome the life imprisonment sentence handed down by the High Court. Dr Shongile was also our daughter. We, as a department, together with her family were still expecting a lot from her. We are happy that justice has prevailed today and the fight against Gender Based Violence has received a boost after this judgment,” she said.

The matter was briefly heard at the Mankweng Magistrate Court and was later referred to the Limpopo High Court for trial, which only took two days before judgement was handed down by Judge President, Ephraim Mokgoba. Xilumani pleaded guilty for the murder on the first day of the trial.

Read more: Murder accused admits to strangling Mankweng intern, Shongile Nkwashu

Nkhwashu’s body was was discovered in her flat at the doctor’s residence of the Mankweng Hospital on 19 January.