Convicted murderer, Patrick Wisani will spend an effective 20 years behind bars. Wisani, who is former ANCYL regional leader in Johannesburg, was sentenced to 20 years for the murder of his girlfriend, Nosipho Mandleleni.
He was also slapped with a one-year imprisonment for assaulting the deceased’s twin sister, Siphokazi, in an attempt to stop her from testifying against him in court. Wisani was also sentenced to a further one-year imprisonment for intimidating the deceased’s friend, Zimbini Mathibe, also in an attempt to stop her from testifying against him. All sentences will run concurrently.
Read: UPDATE: Wisani sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend
Handing down the sentence in the Johannesburg High Court on 11 May, Judge Ismail Mohamed told Wisani that his actions were careless, adding that he showed no remorse for his actions during the trial.
The judge also highlighted that the murder of Mandleni was not premeditated but Wisani acted in rage and anger when he killed the deceased in 2015. Wisani killed his then girlfriend by beating her to death with a sjambok and broomstick.
“The post-mortem showed that the deceased bled to death and had over 40 blows to her body,” Judge Mohamed said. He added that the deceased’s death was not instantaneous, because Mandleleni died a painful, agonising and slow death.
Before handing down the sentence, the judge told the court that sentencing was not a number’s game and that the court cannot act in a revengeful way when giving a sentence. “The element of mercy cannot be overlooked during sentencing.”
Read: UPDATE: Wisani found guilty for beating his girlfriend to death
The judge also said the court does consider public interest but would not ponder on public opinion when it comes to sentencing. During its closing argument, the State highlighted the aggravating factors surrounding Mandleleni’s death and asked the court to impose a life sentence.
However, Judge Mohamed said such a harsh sentence was not appropriate in this case and that the court had also considered the extenuating circumstances. He said Wisani was a first-time offender; he was in the prime of his life and he (the judge) believed that he could be rehabilitated.
The judge further noted that Wisani is educated, but his actions were contrary from what one would expect from an educated person. Judge Mohamed also highlighted that Wisani was an active community member as he previously served in the Yeoville CPF and was also a leader of the ANCYL in the inner city. The judge also pointed out that the syndrome and cycle of domestic violence must be dealt with.
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