A 26-year-old man who pleaded guilty to the murder of an intern medical doctor has asked the court to give him a 15-year jail term.
Ntiyiso Shilumani, an IT student at the North West University, told the Limpopo High Court on Tuesday morning in his mitigation of sentence that 15 years was enough time for him to be rehabilitated in prison.
He pleaded guilty to the murder of Shongile Nkwashu, 24, on Monday. Nkwashu was killed in January in her student room at Mankweng Hospital.
Shilumani, who took the stand in court, further asked for forgiveness from Nkwashu's friends, family and everyone who knew her.
“I'm a first-time offender and I regret the mistake of killing Shongile. During the time I was in custody I have learnt that people who are in prison don't have a future,” he said.
“I'm very remorseful for what I did and I hope with the 15 years the Nkwashu family will accept that I served time for my actions,” he said.
Prosecutor Erick Mabapa said the state believed the murder was premeditated.
“The postmortem results we are handing over to this court state that Shongile died of strangulation. You even sent messages to her father telling him that you are going to kill her and that he will not get a cent from her salary,” Mabapa said.
However, Shilumani said he was angry and he didn't mean that he was going to kill Nkwashu.
Mabapa further accused Shilumani of lacking respect towards her father Kenneth Nkwashu after he had sent him his daughter's nude pictures throughout the night.
Judge Ephraim Makgoba asked Shilumani to speak up as his voice was no longer audible.
MEC for health Phophi Ramathuba is also attending the court proceedings to seek justice for Nkwashu who left behind a two-year-old son.
The trial is under way.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.