The Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday sentenced 39-year-old Thabo Maake to life for the murder his girlfriend Thokozile Kubheka in Katlehong in July 2020.
Maake, who has been in custody for more than two years, was convicted of malicious damage to property, assault and murder of Thokozile Kubheka.
Maake and Kubheka had a violent relationship. Two months prior to the murder, it is alleged that Maake went the deceased’s parental home where he burned some of her possessions.
“He set clothing and several items belonging to the deceased and her siblings alight. He also threatened to kill the deceased, in the presence of her mother and 12-year-old daughter,” said Phindi Mjonondawane, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson.
On 10 July 2020, Maake severely assaulted Kubheka in front of his male friend. The friend informed Kubheka’s family about the brutal assault.
According to the state, Kubheka’s family had been trying to get hold of her with no luck. On the way to Kubheka’s place, the family met with Maake sitting with friends at a carwash, who gave them explanations that did not make any sense before handing them the key to the place.
When they entered the home, Kubheka’s family found her body lying on the floor with a rope tied around her neck. The 39-year-old man was found hiding under the bed at his parental home and was arrested by the police, said Mjonondwane
Maake pleaded not guilty and maintained that Kubheka committed suicide. He was found guilty by the court.
Judge Mohamed Ismael said Maake never showed any remorse and did not apologise to the Kubheka family and maintained his innocence.
“You killed your wife in the most brutal and cruel manner. She was killed by means of strangulation and therefore could not breathe.”
Ismael added that nothing would convince him to impose a lesser sentence
Source: News24, IOL, image from Twitter: SAPS