Warrant Officer Richard Hlabisa said he can finally breathe a sigh of relief after securing a conviction on a 2013 murder case.
The Germiston Magistrate’s Court sentenced Linda Christopher Radebe to eight years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Ms Fundiswa Mkhandlwana.
Ms Mkhandlwana worked as a domestic worker for a family on Kloof Road. She lived in an apartment on the property.
The NEWS caught up with W/O Hlabisa after the sentencing.
He attributed the success to hard work and his ‘never give up’ attitude.
“This case had many complications. After the crime, the murderer was on the run for some time. I continued searching for him even when all hope of finding him was fading. I eventually located him in Matatiele,” said W/O Hlabisa.
He said the victim had 13 stab wounds and was found by her employers in her apartment.
“Although she was killed in cold blood, at some point the charge was almost converted to that of culpable homicide and I had to push even harder,” said W/O Hlabisa.
Asked what made him persist to see the case to the very end, W/O Hlabisa said the victim’s employers and her family followed through on the case.
“They were at every court proceeding. They sat through appearances and never gave up. Being an officer of the law, I had to make sure justice was served for their loved one. The victim also deserved justice and it was an honour for me to make sure, on her behalf, that justice was served,” said W/O Hlabisa.
Radebe was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
