Nine suspects due in court for North West teenager’s killing. Photo: Marco Verch Professional Photographer / Flickr
Pretoria: Man sentenced for beating ex-girlfriend’s partner to death
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Khutso Manamela beat Vafentse Nyeufane with a bat in June 2018
Nine suspects due in court for North West teenager’s killing. Photo: Marco Verch Professional Photographer / Flickr
A 28-year-old man from Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, has been sentenced to life in prison for savagely killing his former girlfriend’s partner.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Khutso Manamela beat Vafentse Nyeufane with a bat in June 2018.
“On 10 June 2018, the deceased, Vafentse Nyeufane had gone to assist his elderly neighbour to run errands for her, Manamela hid a wooded bet by the neighbour’s yard and followed the deceased, as he returned, Manamela took the [bat] and assaulted the deceased,” said NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.
When the neighbour saw Manamela assaulting Nyeufane, they called for help and the victim was taken to hospital for medical attention. Nyeufane unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and Manamela was arrested just three days later after community members spotted him.
“He has been in custody since his arrest after the NPA successfully opposed his bail application. In court, he pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him. The older brother of the deceased told the court that Manamela had repeatedly assaulted the deceased for 7months and they tried to resolve the issue, however, he promised to make peace, but in the end, he killed his brother”
NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana
PRETORIA MURDER ACCUSED HAD PRIOR CONVICTIONS
The state prosecutor Dru Ramsamy told the court that, Manamela had three previous convictions related to violent crimes, where he was given a suspended sentence due to his tender age.
Ramsamy further said that Manamela showed no remorse for his action.
“When he was being assessed by the probation officers, he showed blatant ignorance and still denied his offence, while there was overwhelming evidence against him. Therefore, a life sentence is the only suitable sentence, she added. During the sentencing Magistrate Gcawu, agreed with the state that Manamela showed no remorse for his offence and considering his history of violence and brushing with the law, it does not warrant deviation from the minimum prescribed sentence,” Mahanjana added.
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