The diligence by Tongaat detectives to solve a case where a woman was killed put a smile on our sad faces due to incidents of gender-based violence in the country. We are thrilled that the accused was prosecuted.
On 4 August 2020, the Durban High Court sentenced Bhekani Langelihle Mkhize (31) also known as MTN, to life imprisonment for murder, 10 years imprisonment for rape, five years imprisonment for kidnapping and another five years for theft.
On 25 December 2017, Mkhize forcefully took Nomusa Mthuli (35) from her dwelling to the bushes at Rajcoomar’s informal settlement in Tongaat at knife point in the presence of her nine-year-old son. A case of kidnapping was opened at Tongaat police station.
The child ran to the neighbour’s house for assistance. Mthuli’s half-naked body was found on 27 December 2017, with multiple stab wounds near the stream. She was robbed of her cellphone and watch; then raped and fatally stabbed. The kidnapping incident became a murder investigation.
Police investigations revealed that the accused went back into the house, searching for the child. Police commenced with the investigation, which led to the successful prosecution of the accused. Mkhize was arrested few days after the incident and he remained in custody throughout the trial.
The KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula expressed his gratitude after hearing about the sentence. “This is the type of good news we would appreciate to hear since we commemorate Women’s Month. We hope that this sentence will be a lesson to other criminals to refrain from becoming perpetrators of femicide,” he said.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
