Tzaneen court hands 15 years to woman convicted of stabbing husband in Ga-Phaphadi

The Tzaneen Regional Court has sentenced 49-year-old Sarah Selowa to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for the December 2019 murder of her husband in Ga-Phaphadi, Limpopo.

What happened

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), an argument between the couple occurred the night before the killing. The following morning, a witness woke to loud noises and found Selowa actively stabbing her husband. Police arrived at the scene shortly after, arrested Selowa, and opened an investigation. The husband later died from his injuries.

Trial and sentence

Selowa pleaded not guilty at trial. The State contended that the killing amounted to a heinous act within a domestic relationship and said she showed no remorse during proceedings.

State Prosecutor Takalani Mboyi told the court there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to depart from the prescribed minimum sentence and asked for a strict custodial penalty.

Reaction from the NPA

Limpopo director of public prosecutions Advocate Ivy Thenga praised the investigative and legal teams involved in the matter and said the sentence sends a clear message to violent offenders.

“The NPA prosecutes hundreds of matters that impact the safety and well-being of our communities every day,” Advocate Thenga said. “We remain steadfast in ensuring justice for victims of crime and their families. This sentence demonstrates that perpetrators of serious violent offences will be prosecuted successfully and held accountable for their actions.”

The NPA reiterated its commitment to pursuing strict justice in cases involving gender-based violence and domestic abuse across the region.