Murdered NMU student's mother wants life sentence for killer

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The mother of Zimkhitha Ntshiela, the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) student whose boyfriend, Luyanda Mahlanza, allegedly murdered her in her residence room, demands life behind bars for her daughter's killer.

Originally from Kokstad in KZN, Ntshiela was a second-year tourism management student at NMU George Campus when she was stabbed to death in her residence room on 6 June 2023.

Testifying in aggravation of sentence in the George Magistrate's Court on Wednesday 14 May, Pinky Matshoboza described the impact her firstborn child's death has had on the family.

Besides Ntshiela's two younger siblings - now aged 19 and 11 - having lost their big sister, Ntshiela's mother and father's health also took a knock. While Pinky has developed hypertension, her husband has since been diagnosed with diabetes and they are taking chronic medication.

"I feel hurt because my child is no longer here, but he [Mahlanza] is still here," Pinky said.

Accused's version
In the accused's version, heard earlier in the trial, Ntshiela initiated the violent interaction that ended her life. Mahlanza claimed Ntshiela tried to stab him first.

He then disarmed her but she somehow got hold of the knife again and once more tried to stab him. Mahlanza said he then regained possession of the knife and stabbed Ntshiela.
Pinky told the court she did not buy the accused's version as that kind of behaviour was out of character for her daughter.

"The daughter I knew wouldn't be violent in the way the accused described. She was not violent in the house and never got into fights at school," she said.

The state's argument in aggravation of sentencing
Punctuating the severity of the offence, state prosecutor Adv Karen Barnard said the crime was committed on the property of a tertiary institution where young people came to study and develop skills to not only better their own lives, but also that of their families.

"When parents enrol their children in these institutions, which are mostly situated far from the family home, they trust that their children will be safe."
She said what makes this worse is that the deceased lost her life at the hand of a person she trusted.

Referencing case law and a range of research-based articles, Barnard reminded the court of the scourge of domestic violence not only in South Africa but across the world. She also highlighted the court's vital role in government's fight to eradicate the problem.

No remorse
She said while the accused was a first offender and pleaded guilty to the charge, the state cannot agree with the defence that he was remorseful.

"The state will submit that this guilty plea was part of the strategy by the accused to try and lessen his punishment."

She cited the probation officer's report, which indicated the court was dealing with an aggressive offender.

Barnard said from the evidence before the court it was clear that society had to be protected from Mahlanza and his problem with aggression, by way of imposing an appropriate sentence to not only punish the offender, but also assist with his rehabilitation and deter would-be offenders.

The state submitted that there was no sufficient substantial and compelling circumstances before the court to deviate from imposing a life sentence and agreed with the social worker's previously heard recommendation for long-term rehabilitation to address the accused's problem with aggression. The state also submitted that the accused cannot be released back into society.

Delayed judgment
While the court was ready to deliver judgment and sentencing on Wednesday morning, the matter was delayed due to the late arrival of the bus transporting the victim's mother and other family members from Kokstad.

With the matter only getting under way at 15:00, there was only enough time for Pinky Matshoboza's testimony and the state's argument in aggravation of sentencing. Consequently, judgment and sentencing will be delivered on 29 May.

Previous articles:

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’