MPUMALANGA PREMIER HAILS SENTENCING OF KILLERS AS LAND MARK VICTORY FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST GBVF

28 October 2021

Mpumalanga Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane says the sentencing of three men to life imprisonment for killing Gabisile Shabane and her cousin, Nkosikhona Ngwenya at Hlalanikahle in Emalahleni, is a land mark victory in the fight against Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) in Mpumalanga. The accused, Thokozani Msibi, Knowledge Mhlanga and Brilliant Mkhize were found guilty for the murder charges and were each sentenced to two life imprisonment by the Mpumalanga High Court Division in Middleburg.

Shabane was living with albinism and it is believed that her killing is related to muti rituals. Mtshweni-Tsipane attended the court proceedings, accompanied by MECs. She says the judgement against the trio will sent a strong message that such gruesome killings and GBVF has no place in Mpumalanga. She commended the court for the harsh sentences. “We are happy with the judgement that was passed today. Justice has been served. We want to congratulate our courts for taking such cases very seriously and making sure that they bring the perpetrators to book,” the Premier said.

The sentencing of the accused comes amid Mpumalanga’s intensified fight against (GBVF), with the launch of 16 days of activism against GBVF scheduled for 26 November 2021 at Vosman. Mtshweni-Tsipane expressed hope that the judgement will serve as a deterrent against similar gruesome killings of people living with albinism and GBVF, not only in Mpumalanga but in South Africa as a whole. “We are saying it started and it ends here now. It will never happen again under our shores. We are saying let us stand together as the community of Mpumalanga,” she added.

ENDS...


Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government

Enquiries:
Premier’s Spokesperson: Sibongile Mkani-Mpolweni
Tel: (013) 766 2453
Mobile: 071 557 1142
E-mail: mpolwenis@prem.mpg.gov.za

(A) Provincial Government’s Spokesperson: George Mthethwa
Tel: (013) 766 2242
Mobile: 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za