Father sentenced to life imprisonment for murder of his daughter

Tshilidzi Vincent Mudau [39] has been sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his four-year-old daughter by the Waterval Regional Court in Limpopo.

The court heard that on 04 December 2023, Mudau threatened to kill the child and burn down her mother’s house, at Ha-Maila Kanana in Tshitale, Vhembe following a protection order application against him.

Later that day, Mudau set the house alight before forcibly taking the child from her mother. He fled with the girl and repeatedly smashed her head against the ground, causing multiple skull fractures that resulted in her death.

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The National Prosecuting Authority said Mudau has eight previous convictions for violent offences and showed no remorse during the proceedings.

State Prosecutor Lebogang Maluleke argued that the case constituted a brutal form of gender-based violence and that the child was among the most vulnerable members of society.

The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, meaning Mudau will serve an effective sentence of life imprisonment.

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Limpopo Director of Public Prosecutions Adv. Ivy Thenga welcomed the sentence, saying the NPA would continue pursuing violent offenders to protect vulnerable members of society.

“The sanctity of human life can never be overemphasised. The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes are held accountable,” said Thenga.

“We will continue to pursue these matters vigorously to protect the most vulnerable members of our society and to send a clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated.”