ON MONDAY, 19 September, the South Gauteng High Court sentenced Ontiretse Presley Ramosidi (28) to life imprisonment for killing his girlfriend, Bulelwa Thimbela.
He killed Bulelwa because he was angry that she spent the night out with friends at a tavern in Tshepisong, Roodepoort.
When she came back home on the morning of 12 December 2020, Ramosidi confronted her and an argument ensued.
He took knives out of the kitchen drawer and attempted to stab Bulelwa, but her friend managed to intervene.
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The two shared a shack in Bulelwa’s backyard. After Bulelwa’s friend left, Ramosidi stabbed her multiple times.
He then locked the shack with a chain and fled the scene.
She was discovered by her family after they witnessed the commotion.
They became suspicious when they saw the accused locking the shack and leaving as they knew that he was not alone in the shack.
They found the spare key and opened it, finding Bulelwa lying in a pool of blood on the bed.
Prosecutor Monde Mbaqa argued that women look up to the courts for protection against gender-based violence (GBV) perpetrators.
He said the scourge of GBV demands that harsh sentences be imposed to serve as a deterrent and retribution.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokeswoman Phindi Mjonondwane commended the dedication of Mbaqa and investigating officer Sergeant Magoboya for fighting GBV.
“Society relies on the court system to root out the GBV pandemic by imposing sentences that portray the seriousness of the criminal justice system in its fight against GBV.”
