Three years for threat to kill convict

Lebogang Baingapi | Wednesday April 27, 2016 11:53

 

Magistrate Odirile Mokgatle noted the mitigation of the accused that he was still in a relationship with the complainant and they are bound to raise their minor children together. Londaba has also apologised for his actions and asked court to be merciful. He pleaded with court to ignore his previous convictions of theft as they are not related to the current matter.

When delivering the sentence, Mokgatle said that a sentence fit for the matter should be seen by a reasonable observer not to be lenient or too harsh and obviously blended with mercy. He said the 38-year-old should learn a lesson from his prison term.

He sentenced him to four years imprisonment with one year suspended, with conditions that he shall not commit any crime during that period.

“The vulgar words you used to insult and threaten to kill the complainant left the court in shock and such unpalatable behaviour should not be condoned whatsoever,” said Mokgatle.

Mokgatle said the accused has been in prison before and it seems he did not learn anything or even take the law seriously.

The relationship between Londaba and his girlfriend Omphemetse Moilwa went sour two years ago, after Moilwa testified against him in court.

The court learnt that Moilwa could not find rest from the day she left court on August 16, 2014, as she was assaulted by the accused for three consecutive days and threatened with death, before she reported the matter to the police.

The accused uttered words that threatened her life saying: “Monday won’t pass while you are still alive. I want to see your funeral before I receive my sentence.”

Moilwa told court that she feared for her life considering the way she had been assaulted. She was not in doubt that her boyfriend would kill her.

Another state witness, George Kepu told the court that the couple was always fighting and the accused had the potential to kill the complainant because he is always arrogant and kept dangerous weapons in his house.

Mokgatle ruled that the complainant had testified that she feared for her life and relocated from Bodumatau.

He said the accused had channelled his energy in the assaulting part during cross examinations and ignored the offence he was facing, which is threat to kill.

He did not make any effort to dispute that he uttered life threatening words to the complainant.