A 33-year-old man was sentenced to an effective 17 years in jail for killing a 20-year-old Grade 12 pupil on 18 May 2011.

Godfrey Munzhedzi-Nemushuri appeared in the Hlanganani Regional Court on Tuesday. It was heard in court that Munzhedzi-Nemushuri stabbed and killed Mikateko Mathonsi on election day in 2011 at Njhakanjhaka village near Bungeni.

Witnesses testified that the two were seen quarreling in the street before the suspect went ahead and stabbed Mathonsi in the chest. She later died at the Bungeni Health Centre.

The case had dragged on for some time before it could be finalised. One of the reasons for the endless postponements was for the accused to undergo mental observation in order for the court and prosecution to see if he was fit to stand trial. Another reason, though, was when his legal representative, Adv Maxwell Sikhutshi, recused himself from representing Munzhedzi-Nemushuri. “He'd been rude towards me all along when I told him to instruct me on issues of his bail application,” Adv Sikhutshi had said.

Like in all previous court appearances, members of the Young Communist League (Mayibuye branch) and Congress of South African Students (Cosas) came in large numbers to show support for the murdered pupil's family.

“We are relieved that the case, after a full two-year period, has come to an end,” said Bavi Shivuri, chairperson of the Young Communist League.