Life sentence for man accused of killing partner
Life sentence for man accused of killing partner
The High Court of South Africa, Northern Cape Division Gariep Circuit, sitting in Upington, sentenced Ruben Phakiso Motsie (33) to direct life imprisonment after pleading guilty to killing his 25 year-old girlfriend, Aldine Godeverdien Titus. On the evening of 22 June 2019, Motsie originally from Welkom, in the Free State, and Titus returned home after they visited a local tavern where they spent the evening together. When they arrived home, the accused alleged to have confronted the victim about her habit of always asking for money. In anger, Motsie started hitting Titus with several objects until the deceased fell unconscious. The accused put the victim in bed, covered her with a blanket, and left her to die.
He then went to another tavern to continue drinking. The lifeless body of the victim was discovered on the morning of 23 June 2023, by a neighbour who reported it to the police. The victim’s body was covered with various injuries from head to toe. The accused fled to Welkom when he heard that the police were looking for him, he was traced and arrested after diligent investigations by the police.
The Court Preparation Officer, Ashley Groenewald, who prepared the witnesses for the potential trial also assisted the sister of the deceased to make a Victim Impact Statement. Through this statement, the sister of the victim informed the court that the deceased’s child, from another relationship, was just 4 years old at the time and further expressed the trauma the family had to endure in the resulting horrific and senseless act by the accused as well as the emotional harm effected on the family.
In aggravation of sentence, State Advocate Leshnee Pillay, addressed the court that the prescribed minimum sentence should not be departed from lightly, even though the accused had pleaded guilty. The advocate further argued that the purpose of the legislation to place such harsh penalties on serious offences of life imprisonment for murder is to send the message to the community that offences of this nature are not tolerated by our courts.
The right to life & right to dignity of any human being should not be deprived or abused by the malicious and cowardly act of another. The rate of Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases that are taking place in our country are ever increasing. This is where we could make a difference and send the message through sentencing by our courts. The prosecutor further emphasised that there are no substantial & compelling reasons that will justify causing the death of another, especially when people are in relationships.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr Livingstone Sakata applauds the work of the team in ensuring that the accused was sentenced to an appropriate sentence of life imprisonment, as GBV particularly femicides continue to be a pandemic that is ravaging our communities.
Issued by,
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Northern Cape Division
073 423 3539