Life in jail for man who killed his girlfriend because she refused to have s.e.x with him! A 44-year-old Mpumalanga man, Vermando Vincent Chowe, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his girlfriend, Soneni Dudu Mashaba.
The crime, committed in the presence of her two young children, followed her refusal to engage in s.e.xual intercourse with him.
The Incident
The murder took place on December 7, 2022, in the Hazyview area. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Chowe and Mashaba were in an intimate relationship.
Life in jail
The tragedy unfolded in their bedroom after Mashaba rejected Chowe’s sexual advances, sparking an altercation.
NPA spokesperson Monica Nyuswa detailed the chilling events:
“He left the bedroom and later returned with a knife which he had sharpened earlier in the day. He attacked and stabbed Mashaba in the neck in front of her two small children.”
Mashaba succumbed to her injuries, with the post-mortem revealing that she died from a deep, penetrating incised wound to the neck.
Lack of Remorse
During his trial in the Mpumalanga High Court, Chowe pleaded not guilty to the charges and showed no remorse for his actions. His lack of emotion throughout the proceedings stood in stark contrast to the trauma experienced by Mashaba’s children, who were witnesses to the horrific act.
Court’s Strong Message
During sentencing, the state emphasized the importance of sending a clear and unequivocal message about gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide.
Nyuswa stated:
“The courts must protect the dignity and freedom of all women. Gender-based violence and femicide are scourges in our society and cannot be tolerated.”
The case unfolded during South Africa’s 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, a campaign highlighting the pervasive issue of GBV.
The NPA welcomed the life sentence, underscoring its commitment to seeking justice for victims of such crimes.
“Every successful prosecution is the culmination of months and even years of painstaking investigative and prosecutorial work. It exemplifies hundreds of similar prosecutions successfully carried out daily.”
Gender-Based Violence in South Africa
This tragic case highlights the broader issue of GBV and toxic entitlement in relationships. A recent report by the Human Sciences Research Council sheds light on this alarming trend. The study revealed that:
- 44% of men admitted expecting their partners to consent to sex whenever they desired.
Such attitudes contribute to the high rates of femicide and intimate partner violence in South Africa, which are among the worst globally.
Reflections and Calls for Change
The murder of Soneni Mashaba has become a stark reminder of the urgent need for societal and systemic change to address GBV. Advocates emphasize education, awareness, and accountability as essential components of tackling these issues.
As the nation reflects during the 16 Days of Activism, Mashaba’s story serves as a somber reminder of the human cost of inaction. While Chowe’s life sentence provides a measure of justice, the ongoing battle against GBV requires collective effort from all sectors of society.
The judiciary’s strong stance in this case sends a clear message: violence against women will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will face the full force of the law.
In other news – Joy for ex-Muvhango actress Tebogo Thobejane as court finds Inno Morolong guilty
Innocent “Inno” Morolong, a controversial blogger and reality TV personality, was found guilty of crimen injuria and defamation by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The case stemmed from a heated public dispute with fellow media personality Tebogo Thobejane, which escalated into allegations of character assassination and public humiliation. Read More
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