Mbombela - An Mpumalanga mother who stabbed and killed her mentally ill friend was jailed for 10 years by the Nelspruit Regional Court on Monday.
Lungile Precious Malibe, 23, from KaNyamazane near Mbombela, was arrested last March after she was accused of murdering her best friend, Kedibone Mohlala, 24, by stabbing her five times with a knife.
Malibe, a mother of a 4-month-old baby, pleaded guilty to the charge, saying she acted in self-defence after Mohlala attacked her with a knife. The court heard the fight started after Mohlala demanded a bag containing her clothes and ID which she claimed she left at Malibe's home.
Cebo Vilakazi, Malibe's lawyer, said during mitigation that substantial and compelling circumstances proved she was a first offender who was still young and breast-feeding her baby.
Magistrate André Geldenhuys said three pre-sentencing reports from social workers and probation officers suggested direct imprisonment.
"On the reports, a relative who is her aunt has volunteered to take care of the baby," he said.
Geldenhuys said Malibe had herself to blame for stabbing Mohlala.
"The court accepts that the deceased had a mental problem. But she was still very young and deserved a second chance. After she brought the knife, you took it from her and decided to do what she wanted to do to you," said Geldenhuys.
"Your mistake was the manner in which you used the knife. You were no longer in danger, but lost it and stabbed her in the chest and shoulder. You are sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment."
