Durban - In killing his girlfriend in a fit of rage, a 26-year-old man from Mbongolo informal settlement destroyed a breadwinner’s life, and therefore destroyed two children’s livelihood.
This was the sentiment of Durban Regional Court magistrate Fariedha Mohamed, who on Friday sentenced Sthembiso Ngcobo to 12 years imprisonment for killing his girlfriend, Tholani Chiliza, earlier this month in Naicker Road, Shallcross.
Ngcobo pleaded guilty on Friday, saying he had come home on February 2 and found his girlfriend sleeping.
They quarrelled and in a state of anger and out of rage, he stabbed her and ran away.
During arguments for sentencing, Ngcobo’s lawyer, Legal Aid advocate Donald Somo, said his client was remorseful for his actions and was still feeling the pain of his girlfriend’s death.
“I beg the court to consider that even though he killed a person who trusted him, it was in a fit of rage,” Somo argued.
“The worst punishment is to live with this on his conscience. He killed someone he loved.”
He conceded that Chiliza had a family to look after and responsibilities in life, but told the court Ngcobo’s action was a mistake.
“He is trying to rebuild his life and make himself a better person.
“I ask the court to consider rehabilitation. He’ll learn from his actions and, in pleading guilty, has taken responsibility for it,” Somo said.
Prosecutor Calvin Govender argued that murder was one of the most serious crimes to commit. “Women are crying out for protection and the message that needs to be sent out is that the court is not taking it lightly,” Govender said.
He also argued that Ngcobo told the court he loved Chiliza, but Govender asked how he could kill someone he loved.
“She was a breadwinner and employed by the municipality. She had a seven-year-old daughter and also looked after her sister’s child. I ask the court for a lengthy sentence that would act as a deterrent to the public,” he said.
The post-mortem report found Chiliza died from a penetrating incised wound to the chest.
Magistrate Mohamed felt taking a person’s life was the ultimate crime and that by destroying a breadwinner’s life, Ngcobo had also destroyed the children’s livelihood.
She said violence against women was dealt with on a daily basis in court, and that the interest of society outweighed Ngcobo’s interest.
Daily News