People immigrate to South Africa for a host of reasons.
Some do so for love, better work opportunities and others for safety.
However, a Mozambican national has been sentenced to life imprisonment after he killed his girlfriend.
Richard Do Santos pleaded guilty to the murder of his girlfriend, Chrisandra Nxumalo, and was subsequently convicted of murder.
Richard and Chrisandra were in a romantic relationship for three years and residing together in Volkrust.
The Breyten High Court in Mpumalanga heard that the murder took place at a tavern.
“On 3 December 2022, the two were in a local tavern in Volkrust, when Richard accused Chrisandra of kissing someone and the argument became physical. Richarch took a big concrete stone and assaulted Chrisandra on her head. She was certified dead on the scene,” the court heard.
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During the police investigation, it transpired that Richard was in South Africa illegally.
State advocate Amos Mtshweni addressed the court about the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide stating that the killing of women by their partners has become a far too regular occurrence and that Chrisandra had a whole life ahead of her.
Chrisandra’s mother compiled a victim impact statement where she detailed the pain and trauma caused by Richard to her family. She said life has been difficult as Chrisandra left three minor children who are now depending on her and one of them even tried to commit suicide.
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Judge Lindiwe Vukeya took into consideration the accused's circumstances, the seriousness of the offence the accused is convicted of and the interest of justice. She found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum life sentence.
Richard was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and six months for the Contravention of the Immigration Act. The court ordered the sentence imposed on count two to run concurrent with the sentence imposed on count 1, effectively the accused will serve life imprisonment.
