Family of murdered Durban woman outraged by 18-year sentence for killer

THE family of a Durban woman killed by her boyfriend say the justice system has failed them by sentencing her killer to a mere 18 years.

The family left the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court devastated.

Mbali Mokokone, 29, was killed in Amaoti, Inanda, north of Durban, last year by her boyfriend, 39-year-old chef Zimisele Dlulisa. Her brutal death sparked widespread public outrage after it emerged that Dlulisa strangled her, stabbed her in the neck, and left a blood-stained brick beside her body.

Dlulisa, according to testimony, had lured Mokokone to his Inanda home under the guise of celebrating her birthday. An argument allegedly broke out in front of their two children and escalated, culminating in the attack.

In one of the most disturbing details to emerge, Dlulisa is said to have dished up a plate of food for himself and eaten next to her corpse shortly after the killing. Mokokone's children witnessed the murder.

Dlulisa's prior attempt at securing bail was dismissed after he told the court the children had been left alone and were in need of care as a father. The court refused his application.

On Wednesday, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison; a decision the Mokokone family has described as a "slap on the wrist."

Bongekile Mokokone, the deceased's sister, said the family was shocked by the magistrate's ruling.

"Our family is unhappy about the sentence. It's painful that someone who took an innocent woman's life gets such a lenient sentence. He killed a person intentionally after chasing her out and then fetching her to die yet lied that he wanted to celebrate her birthday. What is worse is that he had the nerve to eat in front of the body.

"My sister's son, who is 7, is facing trauma as he witnessed his mom being beaten. He is undergoing counselling. The past year was tough as my sister was a breadwinner at home. Her child is not coping in school. And my mom has been in and out of hospital as she is not well emotionally and physically she had a stroke," said Mokokone.

She said her sister's two children, aged 7 and 4, were living with them.

She said her sister was a friendly person who had many friends, adding that she wouldn't harm a fly.

"Their relationship was toxic. He used to beat her up and she never reported it to the police. He will eventually have a right to parole and to see his kids, the same kids that are going to grow up with anger because of him.

Before sentencing, Dlulisa claimed in mitigation that he and the deceased had shared a good relationship and that both loved their children. He denied allegations of abuse, a claim strongly disputed by Mokokone's family, who say theirs was a relationship marked by regular arguments and fights.

The family is now considering appealing the sentence and expressed frustration that no one from their side was called to testify during the trial.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE