Man gets 15 years for murdering wife’s alleged rapist

A traditional healer was sentenced by Mtubatuba Regional Court for murdering the man accused of raping his wife in December last year.

Khulekani Ngubane (48) from Qakwini was handed a 15-year sentence for the murder of Thandazani Mngomezulu (29).

The court heard that Ngubane’s wife returned from the shop, informing him that she had been sexually assaulted by Mngomezulu.

Upon hearing this, an enraged Ngubane drove to Mngomezulu’s family home, and forced Mngomezulu into his car before driving back home.

Here, he tied Mngomezulu’s hands and feet together with rope, and hung him upside down from a tree before repeatedly assaulting him with a sjambok on his head and body.

When he stopped moving, Ngubane untied him and let him drop to the floor.

Ngubane’s family members pleaded with him to take Mngomezulu to the hospital where he remained for five weeks before succumbing to his injuries. Ngubane was arrested thereafter.

In court, Prosecutor Sphelele Mdluli led the testimony of Mngomezulu’s sister, who witnessed the assault.

In a victim impact statement, Mngomezulu’s family recalled having nightmares of the incident, while describing the deceased as a ‘good and responsible’ father.

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