A 40-year-old woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with three years suspended for five, after being convicted of fatally stabbing her life partner by the Northern Cape High Court.
A 40-YEAR-OLD woman, Evelyn Ditire, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with three years suspended for five, after being convicted of fatally stabbing her life partner.
The Northern Cape High Court found Ditire guilty of murder under the principle of dolus eventualis, meaning she caused the death of the deceased without intending to do so.
High Court Judge A Nxumalo stated that although Ditire was convicted of a crime that could warrant a life sentence if more aggravating factors were present, the circumstances in this case were different.
He said the fact that Ditire had fully co-operated with law enforcement during her arrest indicated that she had remorse for her actions. He also noted that she had a clean criminal record prior to this incident.
“The court takes note that the convict is an upstanding and co-operative person. She is 40 years old and to date never had any tension with the law. She pleaded guilty to the murder of her partner and gave her full co-operation to the State. That is commendable,” Judge Nxumalo said.
He added that Ditire’s clear criminal record is also an indication that she can be rehabilitated.
“The court has taken the background and personal circumstances of the convict and the likelihood that the convict can be rehabilitated into consideration. The court is not able to predict the actions of the convict in the future with regard to how she handles herself with the law, however, the convict has shown potential to be rehabilitated,” he said.
During the trial, the court heard that the fatal stabbing occurred after Ditire and her partner returned from a drinking establishment, following an argument.
The court heard that the deceased and Ditire were in a relationship and were living together.
On May 13, 2023, the couple were at a drinking establishment in Proteahof, Delportshoop. An argument ensued between the couple and Ditire struck her partner on the back of the head with a full bottle of beer.
After leaving the place where they were drinking, they continued to argue while walking home. Ditire stabbed her partner in the chest with a knife.
Two people attempted to intervene and assist the injured partner, but he succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Ditire left the scene and handed herself over to the police.
According to the post-mortem report, compiled by Dr Lemaine Fouche, the cause of death was a stab wound to the chest.
Initially, Ditire faced a charge of assault for striking the deceased with the beer bottle, but that charge was later withdrawn.