Boyfriend sentenced to 72 years for killing partner and infant
The Limpopo Division of the High Court sitting in Polokwane has convicted and sentenced Lunghani Mhlongo [30], of Dan Village in Tzaneen, to a cumulative 72 years’ imprisonment for the murder of his partner and their eight-month-old baby.
On 15 September 2024, following an argument, Mhlongo assaulted his partner, Hope Nkuna, while she was carrying the baby on her back.
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During the assault, she collided with a table, which struck the minor child on the head. He then continued to assault her by throttling her until she became unresponsive. Upon checking the baby, he found the child also unresponsive.
Mhlongo hid the two bodies inside a RDP house and later set the house alight in an attempt to conceal the evidence. He fled the scene thereafter. Community members alerted the police, and he was subsequently apprehended.
The accused entered into a plea and sentence agreement in terms of Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. In his plea, Mhlongo admitted that the deceased, Hope Nkuna, was his partner. They resided together at his parental home and shared an eight-month-old child.
In aggravation of sentence, State Advocate Patrick Magoda submitted that the seriousness of the offences was compounded by the accused’s conduct after the murders.
The deliberate setting alight of the dwelling constituted a serious offence of arson, posing a danger to property and the surrounding community.
The attempt to conceal the crimes further amounted to defeating the administration of justice and undermining the proper functioning of the criminal justice system.
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The State further submitted that society has a compelling interest in the protection of vulnerable persons, particularly women and children, and in the firm condemnation of domestic violence and conduct aimed at obstructing justice.
The National Prosecuting Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Adv. Ivy Thenga emphasised that the value of human life cannot be overstated.
She affirmed that the NPA will continue to pursue such matters vigorously to ensure accountability and serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders. She also commended Advocate Magoda and all stakeholders involved in securing the conviction.
