FORMER Ekurhuleni West College student Ntsikelelo Saki has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.
The 29-year-old has been jailed for the premeditated murder of Mbali Hlongwane in October 2021.
The accused was also deemed unfit to possess a firearm or knife.
Ntsikelelo and the deceased were students at Ekurhuleni West College Campus in Katlehong.
Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokeswoman Phindi Mjonondwane said the arguments between the accused and deceased started over a WhatsApp text.
“The accused came to the campus and waited for the deceased at the gate. One of the students saw Saki and asked him why he was wearing a jacket while it was scorching hot. The accused was also holding a knife, and he said he was waiting for Hlongwane, that he wanted to take her soul.
“Hlongwane was warned by her fellow students of what the accused had intended to do to her. She left the campus premises and met with Saki, where they had a conversation and when she turned her back to leave, the accused stabbed her two times, and when she turned to face the accused, he stabbed her again two times in her chest,” she said.
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Mjonondwane said the court deviated from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment due to substantial facts of provocation.
“In arguing for a firm sentence, state Advocate Siyabonga Futshana, argued that South Africa abhors the scourge of murder, male dominance, and perverse abuse of power by men and violence against women.
"The punishment that the court should implement must reflect the shock and indignation, also serve as retribution for the crime, and ought to deter others from similar conduct," she said.
Mjonondwane said the NPA applauds state Advocate Siyabonga Futshana and Investigating Officer Constable Motaung for ensuring that Saki is brought to book and faces the full might of the law for the crime he committed.
