Thato Kutumela, accused of murdering Zanele Khumalo, leaves the court building.

Pretoria – A Mamelodi East man on Monday pleaded not guilty in the Pretoria High Court to raping and murdering his girlfriend, who was five months pregnant with his child.

Zanele Khumalo was 18 when she was found dead in her parents’ Garsfontein home. According to a post-mortem, report she was probably strangled to death.

Thato Kutumela, 26, also pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances. He is accused of robbing her of her pyjamas, panties and robe.

Zanele was murdered on the morning of April 21 last year. She had written her matric the previous year and as she had fallen pregnant, she decided to spend a gap year at home, before resuming her studies.

The State alleged she had a love affair with Kutumela and it is claimed that he on occasion physically abused her.

It is claimed that on the day of the incident he waited outside the complex where she lived, until somebody opened the gate. Zanele was alone at home at the time and while the accused was there with her, neighbours saw her crying. But she assured them she was fine.

The State claimed Kutumela then raped and strangled her. He allegedly left her lying on her stomach and covered her with a blanket. He is said to have stuffed her pyjamas and underwear into his backpack before leaving the complex.

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