The Pretoria High Court has sentenced 33-year-old Abraham Molelekwa to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife, Maria Mnguni (47).
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On the night of the incident, the couple had been celebrating the New Year with a braai and a few drinks. Their eldest daughter was out with friends and stayed over for the night, while their youngest daughter remained at home.
After midnight, the couple went to bed. An argument ensued between the accused and the deceased, prompting Maria Mnguni to flee to their bedroom in an attempt to escape.
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Their 10-year-old daughter was also in the room at the time. The accused assaulted the victim before leaving the room, only to return moments later with a screwdriver, which he used to stab her multiple times in the neck and chest. The young girl witnessed the attack and cried out for help, but the accused threatened to stab her if she made any noise. He then locked the child in the room, secured the house, and fled the scene.
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The following morning, the eldest daughter returned home but was unable to enter. She called out, and her younger sister responded through the window, informing her that their father had killed their mother. The teenager sought help from neighbors, who broke down the door, only to discover Maria Mnguni’s lifeless body inside. The younger daughter had spent the entire night in the room, too frightened to move.
Police were alerted, and a case of murder was opened. The accused, who had fled the scene, disposed of the evidence before seeking refuge at his family home in Soshanguve. Upon realising the gravity of his actions, he confessed to his family, who then escorted him to the nearest police station, where he surrendered himself.
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SAPS Wonderboompoort was notified, and members were dispatched to take the accused into custody. The case was assigned to Warrant Officer Lourens Lemmer of the Wonderboompoort SAPS Detective Service.
Through his thorough and meticulous investigation, the accused was successfully prosecuted and sentenced to life imprisonment in the high court.
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Major General Samuel Thine commended Warrant Officer Lemmer for his dedication and professionalism in handling the investigation and presenting the evidence in court.
