By BAKANG MOKOTO
15 October 2024- A man (39), who killed his girlfriend was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pretoria High Court. Ngagalela Kekana from Olievenhoutbosch, Ext 7, killed his girlfriend, Realeboga Georgina Joels.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana, the couple had been in a relationship for seven years. Mahanjana said the tragic incident occurred on the night of 21 October 2022, after they returned from a local tuck shop to Joels’ rented shack.
“An argument broke out between them, during which Kekana shot Joels in the head, resulting in her death at the scene. The following morning, Kekana approached a neighbour, claiming that Joels had been injured and left.
“A concerned neighbour approached the landlord, and together they went to Joels’ shack. Upon entering, they discovered Joels’ naked body on the bed, with her head wrapped in a towel soaked in blood,’ she said.
Mahanjana further said the neighbours then called the police and community members, when the community arrived at the scene, Kekana also returned. She added that upon his return, he was arrested and has been remanded in custody since.
In court, Kekana pleaded not guilty to the charges, maintaining that he was not present at the time of Joels’ death. However, state advocate David Molokomme presented compelling evidence and called witnesses that conclusively proved Kekana’s guilt.
During the sentencing proceedings, Kekana’s legal representative requested the court to consider alternatives to the prescribed minimum sentence, citing the two years he spent in custody awaiting trial. However, Molokomme argued vehemently for life imprisonment, emphasizing both the severity of the offence and its prevalence in South Africa.
“The victim had been killed by her partner, a person who should have been her protector, especially given that she did not have family in Gauteng. The state also handed in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) facilitated by the Court Preparation Officer (CPO), Lebogang Lebese, in which the landlord who was also a friend of the deceased expressed her grief over the loss,” said Molokomme.
He said the landlord noted that Joels had no family in Gauteng, she only had three dogs, which were given away after her death. She said, however, one of the dogs continues to visit her home daily.
“Not only that, she said, she was also left with a burden of having to bury her friend since her family in the Free State was unable to,” he said.
Judge Edwin Masopa concurred with the state’s position, noting Kekana’s lack of remorse and the brutal nature of the crime. Masopa underscored that no sentence could bring back the deceased or heal the hearts of those affected by his actions.
“Therefore, Kekana needs to be permanently removed from society so that children and women can live knowing that he can never harm them. As such, I found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment,” he said.
Meanwhile, after being sentenced, Kekana applied for leave to appeal his conviction and sentence. However, the state successfully opposed this application, which was subsequently denied.
The Guardian 