NELSPRUIT - The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has gladly welcomed the life sentence that was handed down to an ex-cop who brutally shot and killed his wife in the year 2020. He was sentenced by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Mbombela on Friday, 17 February 2023.

The precious life of Ms Tebogo Dikeledi Auspicious Mabunda (Matsane) was cut shot at the age of 39. She was a professional Quantity Surveyor and an employee at Mpumalanga Disaster Management before sadly shot and killed by her 44-year-old husband, Mugiyo Ulrich Mabunda on 14 May 2020 at their Stonehenge home in Nelspruit.

The court heard how the husband came home from work and asked to speak to his wife. Later he fatally shot her then shot and wounded himself.

Police as well as the Medical Personnel were summoned and the woman was unfortunately certified dead by the Paramedics at the scene whilst the husband was taken to hospital under police guard. The woman left behind her three children. The accused was later taken to court after his recovery where the state presented a strong case against him hence he was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder.

During his conviction which happened whilst he was absent, the court cancelled his bail and ordered the accused to submit himself to the authorities. So he was sentenced whilst in custody.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has further appreciated the perfect work done by the Investigation team, the Prosecution team as well as the Judiciary for this exceptional sentence. "We hope this sentence will serve as a lesson to those who might consider perpetrating violence against defenceless victims that the law will definitely deal decisively with them without fear or favour. We continue to urge men to refrain from using violence to resolve domestic issues. What remains as a pain is that the three children were the greatest losers at the end"

Source: South African Police Service