PREMIER MTSHWENI-TSIPANE LAUDS LIFE SENTENCE IMPOSED ON MABUNDA AS FIT FOR THE CRIME
17 February 2023
The life sentence imposed on former police officer, Mugiyo Ulrich Mabunda, for the murder of his wife, Tebogo, has been lauded as a punishment that fit the crime. The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court convicted Mabunda in June last year for the murder of his wife with a gun and handed him a life sentence on Friday. The incident took place outside the couple’s house in Mbombela in 2020.
Mabunda’s sentencing coincided with the announcement of the Quarter 3 crime statistics in the country, by the South African Police, which suggest a high prevalent of gun violence in South Africa. Mpumalanga Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane says the life sentence is in the best interest of many communities whose lives are under threat due to gun violence. “This punishment recognizes the trauma that our communities are going through, as a result of gun violence. It further signifies the intolerance of the court towards the perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), of which Mabunda, is among them,” the Premier stated.
According to the crime statistics,Mtshweni-Tsipane, 3 144 people were murdered under gun point during Quarter 3 of the period under review. The Premier says Mabunda’s punishment and his ilk, will not only flatten the GBVF curve but gun violence as well, before these degenerate out of control. “Such sentence, as meted out against Mabunda, suggest that our aspiration for a GBVF and gun-free province, is not in vain. However, to achieve it, we need a high level of commitment from all sectors of our society to report such undesirable behaviour to the police and not to withdraw such cases, once they are in the chambers of the justice system,” the Premier emphasised.
Mtshweni-Tsipane conveyed condolences to Tebogo’s family and her children, and expressed hope that the life sentence will bring closure to their trauma.
ENDS...
Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Provincial Government’s Spokesperson: George Mthethwa
Tel: (013) 766 2242
Mobile: 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za
