THE Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, has welcomed the sentence handed down to Sipho Mdletshe (44) for murder and attempted murder, at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on August 28.
Mdletshe has been sentenced to one life sentence and 12 years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty on four criminal charges, which include murder of his ex-wife Nomsa Hilda Mbuyisa, possession of an unlawful firearm and ammunition, and two counts of attempted murder of his son and brother-in-law.
In May 2018, Sipho Mdletshe killed his ex-wife Nomsa (39) as she was about to board a taxi to work in Mofolo, Soweto. He then shot her brother Alfred Mbuyisa in the leg and attempted to shoot his son as well.
“We are delighted with the lengthy sentence imposed on Mdletshe for killing his ex-wife in cold blood as well as threatening the life of his son and that of his brother-in-law.
“This is one of the 550 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) ring-fenced by Ikhaya Lethemba, The Department of Community Safety’s One-Stop center for victims of gender-based violence, works closely with the South African Police Service’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit, to ensure that we secure maximum convictions.
“We are happy that we registered a success, especially during Women’s Month.
“Our criminal justice system should continue punishing such cold-hearted people. The sentence handed down to Mdletshe should serve as a deterrent to perpetrators of femicide and GBV.
“This sentence should also send a strong message that the criminal justice authorities will not hesitate to act harshly against those who murder and abuse our women and children.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mbuyisa family. We hope they will finally find closure,” said Mazibuko.
