Staff Reporter
The Free State High Court has sentenced a 35-year-old man for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend to an effective 20 years in jail.
Tshokolo Nelson Mohlafu from Mokoai Moletsane informal settlement in Reddersburg was on Friday sentenced to an additional 12 months’ imprisonment for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Judge Lani Opperman had initially found the accused guilty of killing Liza Tyumbo, 23, on February 29, 2020 in what the state described as a brutal attack.
The court heard that on the day of the incident, Mohlafu and Tyumbo had an argument when they got home from watching a soccer match.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said Mohlafu accused Tyumbo of disrespecting him and stabbed her five times.
Tyumbo was 35 weeks pregnant.
“Tyumbo’s stepfather tried to stop Mohlafu but he stabbed him as well,” Shuping said in a statement.
“He only stopped when Tyumbo’s mother pushed him away from the girlfriend.
“Mohlafu ran away after the incident and was arrested a month later.”
State prosecutor Advocate Tholoana Sekhonyana asked the court to impose a harsh punishment on Mohlafu because he killed Tyumbo in a brutal way over a small argument.
“The killing of the deceased was brutal,” Sekhonyana told the court.
“She fell on her back when she tried to run away from the accused but he went ahead and stabbed her five times.
“He knew she was eight months pregnant but he did not care about the unborn child.
“The community of Reddersburg is outraged by the incident and the accused did not show any remorse.”
The prosecutor bemoaned the continued increase in cases of gender-based violence and implored the court to impose a stiff sentence.
“I request the court to impose a harsh punishment on the accused because he killed the deceased for no reason,” said Sekhonyana.
“The killing of women has become a serious problem in our country and the courts must send a message that these evil actions will not go unpunished.”
Judge Opperman agreed with the prosecutor that Mohlafu deserved a heavy sentence.
She subsequently sentenced Mohlafu to 20 years for murder and 12 months for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The sentences will run concurrently.