A Tshivhilwi man who went on a drunken spree and ended up attacking patrons at a local liquor restaurant, killing a local woman and seriously injuring a man, was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

The man, Freddy Mathaulula (28), was sentenced in the Limpopo Division of the High Court in Thohoyandou on Tuesday afternoon.

The gruesome murder, which schoked the local community, was committed in the evening of December 27, 2009. Mathaulula and others were enjoying drinks at a local restaurant when an argument ensued between him and other patrons. Mathaulula, an known criminal who is alleged to have killed before and done time in jail, went home, only to come back with a big panga, which he used to attack all patrons at the restaurant.

A man aged 30 was hacked on the shoulder and was seriously injured, but managed to escape and save himself from further harm. The 29-year-old Ms Ivy Malise, the mother of one child, was not that lucky as she was hacked and died on the scene. The suspect ran away and police launched a massive manhunt and the man was traced after three days through the help of the local community.

He appeared in court several times and on Tuesday he was sentenced to 20 years for the murder of the woman and 5 years for the assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

The sentence was met with mixed feelings, with family members saying that it was too lenient. The mother of the dead woman, Ms Josephine Rakhumbana, said the sentence meant nothing to them, as that would not bring back their loved one. “Bring back the death penalty, so that this man can pay for his sins, or he must at least spend the rest of his life behind bars. That would at least make me feel better. I know I will not be able to see my daughter again, but I feel the sentence is an insult to us,” said the sad granny.

Tshilidzi Rakhumbana, younger sister of the deceased, said the family was greatly saddened by the outcome of the case. “We had hoped that he would be locked in jail for good, but the 25 years meted out to him is nothing as our sister is gone forever."

Thohoyandou police hailed the sentence as a deterrent and many said the justice system had sent a strong warning that crime does not pay. “We are extremely happy with the outcomes of the case. We feel justice has been done and the right message sent to the community out there,” said Capt Mashudu Malelo after the verdict. He thanked the community for the part they played in the apprehension of the killer. He said it would not have been easy for them to trace the killer had it not been for the assistance they received from the community.