Man Sentenced To Life For Killing A Domestic Worker
The High Court of South Africa: High Court sitting in Breyten, sentenced Kaido Bkekikhaya Kunene (48), of Emampondweni in Piet Retief, to life imprisonment for the murder of a Swazi National, Mbali Mdluli. The deceased was working as a domestic worker for the accused’s family. On 10 April 2021, the accused followed the deceased, to fetch water from a nearby borehole, at Emampondweni Farm in Piet Retief.
This was after, he accused the deceased of stealing R 27 000 and an illegal firearm. After an argument, the accused chopped the deceased with a bush knife several times on her head, neck, and arms. The deceased suffered multiple injuries, and she later succumbed to them in hospital. The murder was witnessed by a twelve-year-old boy, who reported the incident to his parents, and the accused was subsequently arrested.
In court, he pleaded guilty, and the state led by Senior State Adv. Themba Lusenga, argued that the accused committed a serious offence and was premeditated. The deceased’s aunt testified in aggravation of sentence and informed the court the deceased has left three minor children, of which the youngest is two years old. Judge Thando Mankge, who sentenced the accused to life imprisonment declared them unfit to possess a firearm.
The Director of Public Prosecutions adv. Nkebe Kanyane said this sentence will send a strong message to the perpetrators of gender-based violence, that law enforcement is serious about fighting the scourge of GBV in society.
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Monica Nyuswa
NPA Regional Spokesperson
DPP Mpumalanga
013 0450625 /0764855446