The family of Nontsikelelo Mtwisha, who was hacked to death with an axe by her partner at their Grahamstown home, is disappointed at her killer's sentence.
The family of Nontsikelelo Mtwisha, who was hacked to death with an axe by her partner at their Grahamstown home, is disappointed at her killer's sentence.
But while they thought the 18-year term handed down in the Port Elizabeth High Court on Thursday 20 March should have been harsher, Mtwisha's relatives and friends said they were glad that the case had come to a close.
Nkcazo Mpehlo, 39, a well known member of the community, murdered Mtwisha, 32, in the toilet of their Vukani home.
Mpehlo handed himself over to police after attacking Mtwisha with an axe on Sunday 7 July 2013.
Mpehlo and Mtwisha had been living together in Vukani, while Mpehlo was in the process of finalising a divorce with his wife.
The incident sent shock waves through the Vukani community as police officers removed Nontsikelelo Mtwisha's battered body from the house the couple shared.
Speaking to Grocott's Mail earlier today, Mtwisha's father Lulamile said they were grateful to God for carrying them through to the end of the trial "because it was not easy".
Lulamile said they were not pleased with the sentence.
"I wanted a life sentence for him, so that it could be a lesson to anyone in the community who is found guilty of committing an offence of this nature," he said.
Mtwisha's sister Pumeza also expressed disappointment. Pumeza said Mtwisha's death had left a big gap in their lives.
They had depended on her for support for many things.
Community representative Nosigqibo Soxujwa, who has supported the family throughout the duration of the case, said 18 years was not enough.
She said they were well aware of the fact that Mpehlo might be released on bail long before he has served the whole sentence.
Read the full story in the Friday 28 March edition of Grocott's Mail.
