A man from Diepsloot was sentenced to 15 years in jail on 30 September for the murder of his girlfriend in 2017.
According to the Ivory Park Police Station spokesperson, Captain Bernard Matimulane, 42-year-old Mpho Mainela was sentenced at the Tembisa Magistrates’ Court for fatally stabbing 36- year-old Martha Sekwaila after the two had a argument.
“The victim was stabbed once on the chest and succumbed to the injury. On the night of her murder, the deceased had been visiting Mainela’s relative and the two had an argument.
“Immediately after he had stabbed her, Mainela ordered the people who had been with him to drive back to Diepsloot, leaving the deceased lying on the ground until the police were alerted to the body by passersby.”
Matimulane added that Detective Sergeant Malope Thaba managed to trace the murder to Mainela. “Using the evidence gathered at the scene and that from witnesses that came forward, the investigating officer subsequently arrested him at his shack in Diepsloot – which he managed to achieve in just 48 hours.”
Station Commander Brigadier David Mbongeni Ngcobo welcomed the conviction and the 15 years’ direct imprisonment. “Gender-based violence is very prevalent in our communities and this sentence is sure to send a clear message to people prone to abuse others. They will also get their day in court and end up like Mpho Mainela.”
Ngcobo congratulated Thaba for a job well done and giving the Sekwaila family the justice deserve.
Details: For any information relating to crime, please call the Crime Stop call centre on 08600 10111 or make use of the SMS Crime Line at 32211.
