Family of murdered Stonehenge woman Tebogo says justice has been served

Justice for Tebogo! This is what the family and friends of the slain Tebogo Mabunda, murdered in Stonehenge in May 2020, shouted every time her convicted ex-cop husband, Mugiyo Ulrich Mabunda, appeared in court.

On Friday, Tebogo’s family said they finally got what they had being pleading for these past few years, when the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court sentenced Mugiyo to life imprisonment for her premeditated murder.

Tebogo’s sister, Kgopotso Matuwe, said they are satisfied with the judgment passed down, and though they know this will not bring her back, they are pleased with the sentence nevertheless.

“The children are happy with the outcome. They say their mother deserves this justice.”

The family had said it felt like the trial was weighing down on their shoulders, and that they can now focus on healing after this sentence.

“We want to focus on the kids, making sure we continue with all the teachings my sister had started and that they have some sort of normality restored in their lives. My sister is definitely not coming back, but we feel justice has prevailed.”

Mugiyo is said to have tried to apply for appeal. The Mpumalanga spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Monica Nyuswa, said his application was denied by the court.

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BACKGROUND:
Mugiyo drew a gun on Tebogo, shooting her several times before shooting himself as well. Matuwe received a phone call from Tebogo’s 14-year-old at the time of the incident, saying, “Daddy is killing Mummy!”

Mugiyo pleaded guilty in October 2021 and was convicted in June 2022 by Judge Cassim Moosa. On the day he pleaded guilty, the defence attorney, Adv Johann de Necker, read a statement by him in front of Moosa:

“I was a police officer for eight years and had been married to my wife for 10 years.
“On the day of the incident, my wife received a phone call, which she answered outside.
“I was surprised as she usually takes her calls in front of me, but to me it was clear that the conversation was not meant for me to hear. I went outside to hear whom she was talking to and she quickly dropped the call, but I had already heard she was speaking to her boyfriend. That caused me a lot of anger. I fired several shots at my wife and tried to end my life by firing shots at myself, too. I request a minimum of 15 years be imposed on me.”

The state prosecutor, Moeng Molatudi, rejected this plea and requested that another witness be called to the stand. The trial continued and Tersia Marshall, the deceased’s attorney, took the stand. In her statement, she said on the day in question, Tebogo had been talking to her over the phone when she suddenly heard two loud sounds and the call ended.

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“While talking to her, she said her husband attempted to assault her again. After the call was cut off, I tried to call her back, however, the phone rang unanswered. I also saw a message in one of the local groups of which I am a member, as I am also a ward councillor, stating that they had heard gunshots in their neighbours’ home. I got into my car and drove to Tebogo’s home. That is when I was told she had been shot,” she said.

Marshall said Tebogo was planning to divorce her husband.

One of the other witnesses to take the stand said the accused would allegedly use his firearm to fire shots in the air on some New Year’s Days.

Francois Viljoen, a cellphone expert, gave a statement about the deceased’s phone records.
Suzzan Sibongile Matsane, the deceased’s aunt, also took the stand; she was the first family member to arrive at the house after the incident had occurred.