A 43-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Louis Trichardt Regional Court on Monday, 30 June, after being convicted of attempting to murder his girlfriend's mother.
Tambudzeni Justice Maphari from Madodonga village pleaded not guilty to the charge. However, the court heard compelling evidence that on 15 June 2023, the victim was at home with her daughter, who had returned after fleeing an abusive relationship with the accused. "During their conversation, Maphari entered the house and threatened to kill the mother. He then grabbed a knife from the table and stabbed the victim in the neck while she was carrying a baby on her back. Both fell to the ground, and the accused continued stabbing her in the back and spinal cord until she lost consciousness," said Ms Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, regional spokesperson (Limpopo Division) for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), in a press release.
The victim's son discovered his mother lying in a pool of blood and immediately called for an ambulance. "Maphari fled the village but was later traced and arrested by Tshilwavhusiku police officers in Gauteng. A medical expert testified that the victim had sustained life-altering injuries, including a permanent disability that rendered her unable to work. She remained in hospital for three months, recovering from the brutal attack," said Malabi-Dzhangi.
In aggravation of sentence, State prosecutor Ms Tshilidzi Rose Mugeri argued that gender-based violence has no place in society and must attract the harshest possible penalties. She emphasised that the victim had been attacked in her own home—a space where she had every right to feel safe. The prosecutor also pointed out that the accused had shown no remorse and had five previous convictions for assault and domestic violence. The court concurred with the State, finding no substantial or compelling circumstances to impose a lesser sentence, and sentenced Maphari to life imprisonment for attempted murder.
The NPA said it welcomed the life sentence handed down to Maphari for the brutal attempted murder. "The accused demonstrated a clear intent to kill by attacking the victim with a deadly weapon and inflicting life-threatening injuries. This outcome underscores the seriousness with which the justice system treats gender-based and domestic violence, sending a strong message that such crimes will not be tolerated," said Malabi-Dzhangi.
Limpopo Director of Public Prosecutions Adv Ivy Thenga commended the prosecution team and Sgt Mulaudzi of the Tshilwavhusiku SAPS for their dedication, and expressed hope that the sentence would deter would-be offenders.