Mother killer sentenced 20 years
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Thursday August 26, 2021 16:05
The horrific incident left the nation in shock after he tied his mother Thandiwe Mbulawa (63) to the back of his car and then dragged her for about a kilometre before finishing her off with an axe. When delivery sentence, Justice Bengbame Sechele said Ngele is convicted of murderer. He further said the accused person is not a first time offender; but even though he has a previous conviction of the use of insulting language it bears no resemblance to the offence with which he now stands convicted.
Therefore, he stated that his previous conviction will not be taken into account for the purpose of the sentence. Justice Sechele further said: “Mishingo Jeremia, who is defence on the matter, has implored this court to take into account the fact that the accused had unresolved anger issues and that such anger was directed at his mother, the deceased, herein.” He shared the defence counsel also dwelt at length on the psychiatrist’s evidence concerning the accused’s state of mind at the time that he committed the offence. He also highlighted the fact that Ngele was remorseful throughout his trial and was cooperative with the police during investigation.
Justice Sechele added: “The accused herein has however, committed a very serious offence. The circumstances of this murder were not only bizarre but chillingly gruesome.” He indicated that Ngele tied the deceased person (his own mother) to the tow hitch of his motor vehicle and then drove off. Furthermore, he dragged the deceased, an elderly person along the gravel road causing her severe injuries from which she demised.
Justice Sechele stated that the accused person’s only reason for committing the ghastly act was his belief that the deceased was bewitching him. He shared that it is unclear why the accused would blame his misfortunes on his deceased mother when he was not raised by his mother when growing up. Sechele added that it is not clear why the deceased would go all out to harm the accused as her own son and against whom she bore no grudge.
Therefore, he took the view that the act was just a gratuitous attack on a defenceless woman. According to the High court judge, the gruesome incident was an attack that is as inexplicable as it is unreasonable.
He then in the circumstances sentenced the accused to 20 years imprisonment in which period will be started from June 25, 2021, the date when he was taken into custody following his conviction. He advised Ngele of his right of appeal to the Court of Appeal within six weeks from today (Thursday). Justice Sechele concluded that the exhibit in the form of a motor vehicle is forfeited by the state.