MBOMBELA- A 30 years’ direct imprisonment was imposed on Zakhele John Mbuli (40) by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court for the brutal murder of his girlfriend, Lindiwe Julia Maseko.
Mbuli pleaded guilty to the offence and was subsequently convicted of murder after the court heard that in March last year, the accused and the deceased were at the accused’s residence in Nhlazatshe when an argument erupted after the deceased’s cellphone rang. The accused insisted that she answer the call in his presence.
The argument escalated into a violent assault during which the accused repeatedly struck the deceased on the head and neck with a pick handle, causing fatal injuries.
“After realising that the deceased was no longer breathing, the accused cleaned the blood from the floor and moved her body to another room. He then went to a neighbour, confessed to what he had done, and subsequently handed himself over to the police,”reads a statement.
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During the trial, the accused pleaded guilty and expressed disappointment and embarrassment over his actions. Mbuli apologised to the deceased’s family and acknowledged that his conduct was wrong and punishable by law.
In mitigation of sentence, the defence submitted that the accused had demonstrated genuine remorse by pleading guilty, apologising to the deceased’s family, and voluntarily surrendering to the police. The defence therefore requested the court to impose a lenient sentence.
In aggravation of sentence, State Advocate Zilindile Phindiso urged the court to consider the seriousness and prevalence of the offence, as well as the widespread public concern over gender-based violence and domestic violence.
A photo album was also presented depicting the severe head and neck injuries sustained by the deceased, which was corroborated by the post-mortem report. A Victim Impact Statement compiled by the deceased’s mother and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nomfundo Mokoena was presented to the court.
In her statement, the mother explained that the deceased had been the family’s primary breadwinner, earning more than other family members. She further stated that the deceased’s children had suffered immensely following their mother’s death and were forced to relocate from their maternal grandparents’ home to live with their father.
The accused was sentenced to 30 years’ direct imprisonment and was automatically declared unfit to possess a firearm.
