KEY POINTS
- Nkululeko Mtshali will serve a life sentence for the 2023 rape and murder of the eight-year-old Mbali Mahupela in Gauteng.
- Mtshali had argued that his unconscious friend caused the accident, but the court said this defense was weak.
- Officials and the NPA lauded the quick actions of police and advised everyone to keep vigilance over the safety of children.
In palm ridge, the Pretoria High Court, sitting there, has sentenced Nkululeko Mtshali, 20, to life imprisonment for the savage rape and murder of Mbali Mahupela, aged eight, in Carletonville, Gauteng.
The court ruled that Mtshali was ineligible to own a firearm. The National Prosecuting Authority regarded the judgment as a good outcome, while police officers were happy with the investigations that resulted in a swift verdict.
How the tragic crime in khutsong happened
On January 5, 2023, Mbali Mahupela was home with her grandmother in Khutsong when Mtshali’s friend called her and said her father wanted to see her.
In spite of Mbali’s grandmother trying to keep her at home, she left the house. When police examined the suspect’s place, they found the victim dead on a couch. Forensic analysis showed the child was raped and suffered injuries that caused her death.
The court declines the shifter’s defense and gives a very strict sentence to Nkululeko Mtshali
When the trial began, Mtshali argued that his former friend had pushed him into committing the crime. The court refused his pleas because they seemed unconvincing and sentenced him to the highest penalty allowed.
Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola, SAPS National Commissioner, commented that the ruling makes it clear: “Those who commit harm against vulnerable citizens will face justice.”
They urged people to contact SAPS Crime Stop at 08600 10111 if they witness sexual abuse or any kind of suspicious behavior.
