LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR FEMICIDE AND CONTRAVENTION OF IMMIGRATION ACT
The Breyten High Court sentenced a 35-year-old Mozambican national, to life and 6 months imprisonment for murder and Contravention of the Immigration Act. Richard Do Santos pleaded guilty to the murder of his girlfriend Chrisandra Nxumalo and was subsequently convicted of murder. The accused and the deceased were in a romantic relationship for three years and residing together in Volkrust. On 03 December 2022, the two were in a local tavern in Volkrust, when Do Santos accused Nxumalo of kissing someone and the argument became physical. The accused took a big concrete stone and assaulted Nxumalo on her head. The deceased was certified dead on the scene. During the police investigation, it transpired that the accused was in the Republic of South Africa illegally.
State Advocate Amos Mtshweni addressed the court about the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide stating that the killing of women by their partners has become a far too regular occurrence and the deceased had a whole life ahead of her. The victim impact statement compiled by the deceased’s mother facilitated by the Court Preparation Officer Faith Masango, where she detailed the pain and trauma caused by the accused in her family was presented. She said life has been difficult as the deceased left three minor children who are now depending on her and one of them even tried to commit suicide.
The presiding Officer Judge Lindiwe Vukeya took into consideration the accused’s circumstances, the seriousness of the offence the accused is convicted of and the interest of justice. She found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum life sentence. Do Santos was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and six months for the Contravention of the Immigration Act. The court ordered the sentence imposed on count two to run concurrent with the sentence imposed on count 1, effectively the accused will serve life imprisonment.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the successful finalisation of the matter and applauds the prosecution and the police for delivering justice to the deceased’s family. Curbing the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide in our society is the organisational priority.
