Gender-Based Violence Accused Sentenced To Life And 15 Years
High Court of South Africa: Mpumalanga High Court sitting in Breyten, convicted and sentenced Muzi Christopher Nkosi (35), from Ermelo to life and 15 years imprisonment, for rape and murder of an eighteen-year-old woman. On 30 October 2022, the accused telephonically invited the deceased for a drink. Upon arrival, they moved from one tavern to another.
At midnight, the deceased informed the accused that she was going home, and the accused offered to accompany her home. On the way, the accused forcefully raped the deceased, and when the deceased informed the accused that he will report the rape ordeal to the police. The accused produced a knife and stabbed her several times in the neck and chest until she died. After the accused committed the offence, he took his friend to the place where he left the deceased and undress her of her clothes and threw them in the stream.
The accused pleaded not guilty and put blame on his friend whom he requested to accompany him to the crime scene, where he left the deceased’s body. Senior State Prosecutor Themba Lusenga relied on the cellphone evidence and the accused was also linked to the offence through DNA. The medical pathologist also testified about the injuries suffered by the deceased.
The mother of the deceased testified in aggravation of sentence and told the court that, she did not accept the accused’s apology offered by the accused legal representative.
The court convicted the accused of rape, murder and defeating the ends of justice.
The National Prosecuting Authority commends the work done to secure a conviction and sentence and hopes that this will curb the scourge of gender-based violence by deterring like-minded people said, Adv. Nkebe Kanyane.
Issued by
Monica Nyuswa
Regional Spokesperson
Mpumalanga Division
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