SON SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR STABBING HIS FATHER TO DEATH
The High Court of South Africa: The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Mbombela has convicted and sentenced Siphamandla Gift Khumalo (22), to life imprisonment for the murder of his biological father. This is after the accused pleaded guilty to murdering his father Bheki Eric Khumalo (47). The accused and the deceased were residing together as a family in Mayflower. The deceased had businesses in Ermelo, and Glenmore and they visited his family on regular basis
In his plea, the accused told the court that his relationship with the deceased became sour after he did not support him in his career choice of becoming a musician. His father wanted him to pursue a career in engineering. As a result, the accused felt that the deceased was a stumbling block towards his dream career and then left his family home in Mayflower to Ermelo, where the deceased was conducting business. He armed himself with a knife and waited for the deceased to arrive, then produced a knife and fatally stab him in the neck.
State Advocate Eugene Mathebula, handed in a victim impact statement compiled by the deceased’s wife. She detailed that she is now a widow and the community and the family suspect that she colluded with the accused to kill the deceased. She added that her husband was the sole breadwinner and now that he is gone,, life has become a nightmare.
In aggravation of the sentence, Advocate Mathebula addressed the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. He said, the accused has caused grief to his mother and has taken away her soulmate.
Judge Greyling Coetzer agreed with the state and found no compelling and substantial reasons to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, she sentenced Khumalo to life imprisonment.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the conviction and sentence in the matter. We commend the good work done by the prosecutor and investigator. We encourage people to seek professional help when they encounter similar problems in their family conflicts.
