SARAH BAARTMAN – The Humansdorp Regional Court sentenced a 41-year-old man to an effective seven years direct imprisonment for causing the death of Silulami Mhlanga (39) after hitting him with a beer bottle in St Francis Bay in June this year.

On Thursday, 29 July 2021, Humansdorp Regional Court sentenced Dumisani Sotafile (41), to seven (07) years direct imprisonment for culpable homicide. Sotafile was charged for murder, and during court proceedings he submitted a plea on a charge of culpable homicide, and conceded that his action resulted in Mhlanga’s death.

This sentence follows an unfortunate incident, which occurred on Monday, 14 June 2021 at about 14:00, where the two men were drinking at the local tavern in Sea Vista (St Francis Bay. An argument started between the two, which ended when Sotafile struck Mhlanga with a beer bottle on the head. Mhlanga collapsed and was then taken to his home, where he started bleeding through the nose and died.

Acting District Commissioner, Brigadier John Lebok welcomed the sentence. “It is unbelievable that in our attempts to curb reckless and irresponsible actions from people after they have consumed liquor, our messages seemed to be falling in deaf ears. We believe that this sentence will serve as a deterrent and to people that their reckless actions when drunk will have consequences, added Brig Lebok.

Source: South African Police Service