The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Mbombela sentenced Themba Stsompana Mahlangu (45) to life imprisonment for premeditated murder of his girlfriend Tumelo Maria Mamogale. 

The accused and the deceased were in relationship and staying together in Mashishing in the district of Thaba Chweu. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Monica Nyuswa said that in the early morning of 04 October 2021, the deceased neighbours heard her screaming and went to investigate. They found the accused assaulting the deceased, hitting her with fists and bumping her against the neighbour's gate. The neighbours tried to intervene, and the accused pretended to be listening. When the neighbors went back to their houses, the accused continued stabbing the deceased with a broken bottle. "The accused left the scene, leaving the deceased unconscious. After realizing that the deceased was no longer responsive, he left the scene leaving the deceased fighting for her life, who later succumbed to her injuries," said Nyuswa, adding that the accused was arrested the same day and later pleaded not guilty to the offence. "He alleged that on the day of the incident, they were attacked by a group of four unknown males. State Advocate Antoinette Nkosi led testimonies of three neighbours who witnessed the crime. An investigating officer also testified from what he observed from the crime scene. This was supported by a postmortem report that confirmed that the deceased died of sharp force injury to the neck," said Nyuswa.

Nyuswa said that Nkosi handed in victim impact statement compiled by the deceased's mother facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Zodwa Lekhuleni cited that she cannot come to terms with the death of her daughter, she even lost weight and has now to be the grandmother and the mother of the deceased's minor kids who always ask why their mother died. Acting Judge Sheila Msibi remarked that the country is suffering high levels of violent crimes, particularly gender-based violence in domestic relationships. "The court found that there are no compelling circumstances for it to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence and sentenced the accused to life imprisonment. The court further declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm.