POLOKWANE – The family of a 22-year-old woman stabbed to death by her boyfriend on Valentine’s Day has expressed disappointment with the 30-year prison sentence handed to her killer, saying it does not reflect the pain of their loss.

Zwivhuya Ernest Ramaremela (24) of Madombidzha Zone 2 was sentenced in the Louis Trichardt Regional Court on September 29 after being convicted of murdering his girlfriend, Vhatshilele Sikuba.

The incident occurred during an act of domestic violence on February 14 this year.

Body found by neighbour

Sikuba was found dead on February 15 by a neighbour who went to check on her after hearing the couple arguing in the early hours of the morning.

Her aunt, Gloria Sikuba, said the family regarded the sentence as too lenient and felt it did little to address the devastating loss.

“Bring back the death penalty, so that this man can pay for his sins, or he must at least spend the rest of his life behind bars. That would at least make me feel better. I know I will not be able to see our daughter again, but I feel the sentence is an insult to us,” she said.

During the trial, Ramaremela pleaded not guilty.

After the incident, he left the scene and reportedly informed his grandmother and Sikuba’s parents that he had killed her. The family then went to the house, where they found her body.

Previous conviction for assault

During arguments in aggravation of sentence, state prosecutor Fightwell Nevhulamba highlighted the prevalence of gender-based violence in South Africa, telling the court that reports of women being abused appeared in the media almost daily.

Nevhulamba also informed the court that Ramaremela had a previous conviction for assault, with Sikuba herself being the victim.

He further stressed that Ramaremela’s actions had left Sikuba’s children without their mother, adding to the devastating consequences of the crime.