By REGINALD KANYANE
A man (41) who burned the North West University (NWU) student to death was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Gauteng High Court sitting in Johannesburg. On 27 May 2023, Tinyiko Baloyi kidnapped Karabo Maluleke (21) from the NWU (Potchefstroom campus) after suspecting that she was in another relationship.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Phindi Mjonondwane said Baloyi held her captive for three days at a guesthouse in Roodepoort, during which time her family and friends tried to contact her. Mjonondwane said when Maluleke was unreachable, they reported her missing.
“Ultimately, on 30 May 2023, Baloyi drove Maluleke to an open field in Doornkop, where he tied both her hands and feet, poured her with petrol and dosed her to death. Her charred body was discovered five days later in the field. Warrant Officer Rabed Zwana, traced the accused’s movements, discovering he had rented a car to fetch Maluleke from Potchefstroom to the guesthouse.
“After killing her, Baloyi returned the vehicle to the rental company. In his attempt to skip town, he exchanged his phone for money at a taxi rank before fleeing to his home in Giyani, where he was eventually apprehended. Baloyi pleaded guilty and testified in mitigation of sentence, citing that he cooperated with the law,” she said.
Mjonondwane further said Baloyi also said that he contributed to Maluleke’s well-being, including tuition fee payments and the provision of a laptop. She added that Baloyi offered an apology to the family.
Khensane Maluleke, the mother of the deceased, made an impact statement and described the harrowing circumstances surrounding her daughter’s brutal murder. She testified that the tragic loss had a profound impact on their entire family. She also said that she eagerly anticipated her daughter’s academic success, which would transform their family’s circumstances and improve their lives.
The state advocate Leswikane Mashabela stated that the accused’s heinous crimes warranted the severest sentence, as he had kidnapped and held her captive for three days, only to brutalise and murder her ultimately.
Mjonondwane said the NPA will continue to prosecute Gender-Based Violence (GBH) cases with vigour as the safety and well-being of the communities remain paramount. She said Baloyi was also sentenced to an extra 10-year imprisonment.
The Guardian 