By BAKANG MOKOTO

31 March 2025- A man (38) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, for murder. This comes after the accused, Trevor Nolan, who is a street dweller, brutal murder of his pregnant girlfriend, Monica Matrose (28).

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said Nolan and Matrose, were homeless and frequently staying at the corner of Park and Wessels Streets in Sunnyside. Mahanjana said on the night of 9 December 2023, at approximately 22:00, the couple had an argument that escalated into violence.

“Nolan stabbed Matrose multiple times in the neck and chest with a pair of scissors before fleeing the scene. Despite her injuries, Matrose managed to crawl to another street dweller and inform him of the attack. Tragically, her body was discovered at the same location in the early hours of the following morning.

“Nolan was arrested two days later, on 11 December 2023, and has remained in custody since. During his court appearance, Nolan pleaded guilty, but sought a lesser sentence, arguing that he needed to care for his three other children. However, the state prosecutor, Mpho Monyane, urged the court to impose the maximum sentence, highlighting the brutal nature of the crime and the fact that Matrose was pregnant with Nolan’s child at the time.

“Monyane also brought to the attention of the court Nolan’s previous convictions of serious crimes, which include housebreaking and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Additionally, the prosecutor emphasized the high prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) in the jurisdiction,” she said.

Mahanjana said the NPA welcomes the sentence, reaffirming its commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide. She said Magistrate Mthimunye concurred with the prosecution, stating that Nolan had failed to protect the mother of his unborn child and that his other children were already under the care of social workers.

“Mthimunye found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, ruling that life imprisonment was appropriate,” said Mahanjana.

taungdailynews@gmail.com