A hefty sentence meted against a man who murdered his 37 year old girlfriend has been greatly welcomed by the police management in Mpumalanga. Charles Maboate, aged 42 was sentenced to 18 years to languish in prison for murder by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court which was sitting in Middleburg on Thursday, 20 May 2021.
Maboate’s sentence spirals from a horrific Gender-Based-Violence incident which occurred at Mmametlhake on 27 June 2020.
The court heard how on that fateful day, Maria Mohaniwa Malinga who was his girlfriend, had a heated argument with the accused that led to Maboate severely assaulting her until she became unconscious.
Members of the community who heard the commotion summoned for assistance from the authorities. Police and medical personnel arrived at the scene, found her lying alone on the street unresponsive and rushed her to hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
Maboate is said to have confided in his neighbour who then accompanied him to Mmamethlake Police Station and he was swiftly arrested. During sentencing, the accused was also found to be unfit to possess a firearm.
The police management in the province has applauded the sterling work done by the investigation team, the Prosecution as well as the Judiciary in ensuring that a stern message is sent to perpetrators of Gender-Based-Violence. “The state mean business when it comes to issues of Gender-Based-Violence. Those like Maboate should know that the state has had enough of people who prey on defenseless women and we believe the sentence will serve as a deterrence.” concluded Major General Thulani Phahla, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga.
