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The High Court of South Africa, in Mbombela, has sentenced a 45-year-old man to life imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend.
According to a statement by the National Prosecuting Authority on Friday, Themba Mahlangu, killed his partner, Tumelo Mamogale, on 4 October last year.
He initially pleaded not guilty, alleging that they were attacked by four unknown men.
However, NPA spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, says the state proved that this was not true.
"Neighbours heard Mamogale scream and upon investigation they found Mahlangu beating her up with fists and bashing her head against a gate. He further stabbed her with a broken bottle," she said.
Mahlangu later succumbed to her injuries with a post-mortem confirming that she had died of a 'blunt force' injury to the neck.
Mamogale's mother said in a victim impact statement presented to the court that she is battling to come to terms with her daughter's death. She also said that she now has to fill the role of a mother to her daughter's children as they also battle with her death.
Acting Judge Sheila Msibi emphasised that the country is suffering high levels of violent crimes particularly gender-based violence in domestic relationships.
