Judge to the murderer of Palesa Madiba: ‘You treated her as if she were less than a human being’

Dumisani Mkhwanazi was jailed for murder.

• Judge Prince Manyathi has punished convicted murderer Dumisani Mkhwanazi during his sentencing.
• Manyathi said that Mkhwanazi was unrepentant and had buried Madiba like a dog.
• This despite Madiba treating Mkhwanazi like her uncle.

“You treated her like she was less than a human being by burying her like a dog in your garden.”

Judge Prince Manyathi was scathing in his words to Dumisani Mkhwanazi during sentencing at the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Friday.

READ | Court sentences Palesa Madiba’s murderer to 13 years in prison

Mkhwanazi, convicted of murdering and burying 20-year-old Palesa Madiba in a shallow grave in 2013, was effectively sentenced to 31 years in prison for murder, theft of Madiba’s cell phone, nullification of the purposes of justice, as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Manyathi described Mkhwanazi as a man who lacked remorse and who had killed a person who trusted him as his uncle.

“… I understand that you continue to maintain that you did not commit the crimes. According to you, this (conviction) is due to the media attention and therefore the court cannot expect you to regret it.

Madiba patent.

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“The courts are not here for the media. The attractiveness of the media is due to these types of crimes such as gender violence and femicide. These types of crimes spread like a virus, ”Manyathi said.

READ | Dumisani Mkhwanazi found guilty of the murder of Palesa Madiba

“No one can argue that this crime is not serious. You killed a beautiful 20 year old lady. She considered you her uncle and expected protection from you, but unfortunately you betrayed her. “

The judge added that Mkhwanazi executed excessive successive blows and fatal force when he killed Madiba.

“The deceased has been deprived of the love of her loved ones. You didn’t just take his life. You completely ignored her holiness and what life meant to her and to those who loved her, especially her mother.

“In the course of murdering her, he gave the impression that he left to attend classes, knowing that he buried her in a shallow grave. What we do know is that she was caught off guard because she did not expect such behavior from someone she trusted, “Manyathi said.

Conduct

“The fact that you have not extended the reasons for your conduct, along with your lies about what happened to her, is still an indication of your selfish reasons for keeping the information as what happened on that particular day.

“In fact, he kept that information knowing full well that he buried it behind his rooms and did not want to divulge that information. At all material times you displayed the ‘catch me if you can’ attitude.

“You pretended to share the pain and sufferings of his family, knowing that you are the cause of his anguish. You always thought your secret was safe and you will take it to the grave. “

Manyathi said that Madiba was a beautiful young lady who had a vision for her future.

“The death of the deceased is a flagrant loss to her family and friends. The unfortunate part of this is that his family will be able to visit him in prison. They will be able to talk to you and touch you, unlike your family, who will see your photos, videos and hear your voice notes.

“You had enough time to think about how to get rid of Madiba’s body. You treated her like she was less of a human being by burying her like a dog in your garden. “