Hlokomelo Mabogale |
“Justice served”, this is what the Limpopo Health Department said on Tuesday after one of its Mankweng Hospital medical intern Dr Shongile Nkwashu’s killer was given a life imprisonment by the Limpopo High Court. A 26-year-old Ntiyiso Xilumane pleaded guilty
MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba said even though no sentence would bring back someone back to life, they welcome the sentence given to Xilumane. Nkwashu was the first medical doctor in her village of Mayepu near Dzumeri outside Giyani.
Xilume wanted the court to impose a sentence of 15 years, claiming that he is remorseful and that he is a first time offender. He further requested the court to reduce his sentence by 3 years. But that did not cut it as life imprisonment was given.
During the testimony, State advocate Eric Mabapa cross-examined Xilumani on why did he send death threats to Shongile’s father.
The convicted murderer said it was “meaningless,” and he had admitted that he texted Shongile’s mother saying that her daughter will not receive a cent from her salary, but it meant that he would withhold Shongile’s bank cards, arguing that this was not a death threat.
That can be argued that Nkwashu only worked for 17 days. Then Xilume killed her. Her body was found in her room at Mankweng Hospital on the evening of January 19 2020.
