A 40-year-old man, Vincent Sandile Chabalala was sentenced to 20 years direct imprisonment for murder of his ex-lover by the Mpumalanga High Court sitting in Delmas.
He was handed down another 10 years imprisonment for attempted murder of his 18 months-old baby girl.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the court heard that on October 9, the deceased, Sonto Siziwe Tivana (20) and her child were on their way home and were in company of the deceased’s male cousin. While on their way, Chabalala came running towards them. As he approached, he took out a knife and stabbed his ex-lover as well as her child in front of the deceased’s cousin. He further threatened to stab the cousin when he pleaded not to stab them.
READ: Man gets double life sentence for rape and murder of girl
In his guilty plea, Chabalala told the court that on the day of the incident, he was carrying a knife from a ceremony where they had slaughtered a cow. He saw the deceased with another man hugging, he became jealous and stabbed the deceased as well as their baby with the knife he allegedly had been using at the ceremony.
In aggravation of sentence, state advocate Lawrence Motheogane, handed in a post-mortem report which showed that the deceased died of multiple stab wounds on the chest and upper limbs. Motheogane further addressed the court that Chabalala’s explanation demonstrates his uncaring character and pleaded for a harsh sentence to be imposed.
ALSO READ: Three men arrested for alleged kidnapping and murder
Before sentencing, Judge Thando Mankge said, “the deceased suffered the most horrific death in the hands of his ex-lover and that she had a bright future ahead of her. Chabalala interfered with the deceased most precious gift of life such that he became cruel and heartless,” said the judge.
