MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR FEMICIDE

12 May 2025

MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR FEMICIDE

The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court sitting in Breyten has sentenced Mfaniseni Thomas Mathe (48) to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his girlfriend, Poppy Happy Thela. The accused pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted accordingly.

Mathe and the deceased were in a domestic relationship and lived together at the accused’s residence in Extension 4, Kwazanele Township, Breyten. On 25 February 2024, the victim returned home after being away for several days to resolve her identity document issues at the local Department of Home Affairs. Upon her return, she was reportedly intoxicated and found the accused asleep. An argument broke out between the two, which escalated into a violent altercation.

During the incident, Mathe pushed the victim against a coal stove, causing her to fall. He then assaulted her with a black rubber pipe and stabbed her multiple times with a knife. After she lost consciousness, he left her lying on the floor and went to sleep. The following morning, upon discovering that she was no longer breathing, he wrapped her body in a blanket and plastic bag, tied it with a rope, and disposed of it in a nearby manhole.

Following police investigations, the body was recovered with a slit throat and Mathe was arrested. He later pleaded guilty in court. In aggravation of sentence, Senior State Advocate Themba Lusenga highlighted the prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) in the Ermelo jurisdiction. He argued that the accused was not fully truthful about the extent of the assault, particularly his failure to disclose that he had slit the victim’s throat. Advocate Lusenga urged the court to protect the dignity and lives of women by imposing an appropriate and stern sentence.

The post-mortem report confirmed the cause of death as multiple penetrating stab wounds to the neck. A photo album depicting the crime scene where the victim’s body was found was also submitted as evidence.

In delivering judgment, the court remarked on the country's alarming rate of violent crimes, especially those related to GBV and femicide. It stressed the need for courts to impose harsh penalties to deter such acts. Mathe was sentenced to life imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence and reiterates its commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide. This case serves as a harsh reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring that perpetrators face the full might of the law.

Issued by:

Monica Nyuswa
NPA Regional Spokesperson
DPP Mpumalanga
013-045 0625 / 076 485 5446
mnyuswa@npa.gov.za