Man sentenced to life imprisonment for murder
In aggravation of sentence, the state advocate, Derrick Mashego, told the court that the deceased was humiliated and degraded, and that her privacy had been brutally invaded
The Mpumalanga High Court sentenced a 33-year-old man, Thulani Innocent Sibiya of Nkomeni Trust near Pienaar, to life imprisonment for the murder of Fikile Dinah Sithole.
Sibiya was also handed down 15 years’ imprisonment for raping the victim. According to the charge sheet, Sithole had been collecting empty cans for recycling on March 30, 2018, when Sibiya came from a nearby tavern, grabbed her and dragged her to a nearby bush where he forcefully raped her.
He then strangled her to death. Sithole’s body was discovered in the bush two days after the incident. Sibiya handed himself over to the police about a week later. He was linked to the crime through DNA evidence.
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In mitigation of sentence, Sibiya alleged that he was bewitched to commit the crimes. He further indicated that he was self-employed as a builder, having dropped out of school in grade 10. In aggravation of sentence, the state advocate, Derrick Mashego, told the court that the deceased was humiliated and degraded, and that her privacy had been brutally invaded.
Mashego further told the court that women have a legitimate right to work without fear of any person, including the accused. He submitted that the court should impose minimum sentences for both crimes committed on the person of the deceased.
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Judge Bruce Langa stated that femicide and gender-based violence were like the coronavirus in our country, and to deviate from minimum sentences will send a wrong message to the community. He sentenced Sibiya to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years’ imprisonment for rape.
The sentences run concurrently. Sibiya’s name was entered in the Sexual Offences Register and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm. The acting director of public prosecutions, Adv Matric Luphondo, commended the passion portrayed by the investigating team and the prosecution in delivering justice to the victim’s family.
