THOHOYANDOU - The Thohoyandou High Court has sentenced a 33-year-old man to 103 years imprisonment for attempted murder and housebreaking last Friday.

Thomas Itani Mudau faced two charges of housebreaking and attempted murder and two of attempted murder around the Tshimbupfe Dindela Village in the Vhembe area.

According to State Advocate Ratshilumela Makhera, the suspect arrived at Ms Livhuwani Elizabeth Murundwa's home when she, her son Andani and other children were asleep. She heard a knock at the door but she didn't open the door. Mudau then broke in and threatened to kill Ms Murundwa and her children. He poured petrol around the place and set the room alight.

Her son, Andani managed to escape and alerted the neighbours. When the sisters Tshinakaho and Thivhilaeli went to help, the suspect chopped them with an axe. They were later taken to the Tshilidzini Hospital for treatment. When passing judgement, Judge Godfrey Hetisani said no one has the right to kill and no one is above the law. People have the right to live without any harm, he said. The world has staged many campaigns to stop the abuse of women and children, but you don't respect the law.