Jealous lover sentenced to 12 years for murdering girlfriend

The Mpumalanga High Court sentenced Hemilion Penuel Mazibuko to 12 years direct imprisonment after he pleaded guilty of murdering the mother of his six-year-old child in Gumakhulu tavern.

The court heard that in July 2017, the deceased and the accused went to the local tavern. They found the tavern full of patrons and did not have a place to sit. Later on, the deceased was accommodated by her friends at their table. While she was sitting with her friends, she disappeared and Mazibuko found her standing at the back of the tavern with an unknown man.

He then confronted her about why she was standing in the dark with a man and she replied that the man owed her money. Her boyfriend said they must leave and go home. Along the way, an argument ensued and assaulted and strangled her to death. After realising that the deceased is no longer breathing, he buried her in a shallow grave and then reported her as missing.

Mazibuko was eventually arrested. He confessed to the offence and pointed out to the police of where he buried the deceased’s body.

In aggravation of sentence, senior state advocate, John Maenga told the court that the accused committed a serious offence and overreacted to a situation that could have been amicably resolved.

During sentencing, the presiding officer, Judge Kgoele found that there were substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence.  He then sentenced Mazibuko to 15 years imprisonment; three years suspended effectively he will serve 12 years behind bars.