- Lungile Nxelelwa received two life sentences for the murder and rape of Keneilwe Pule
- In 2019, he raped and killed her with a grinder before setting her on fire.
- The two had been dating and living together for three years.
The family of Keneilwe Pule say they can finally start the healing process after her then-boyfriend Lungile Nxelelwa received two life sentences for her rape and murder.
Nxelelwa was sentenced in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on Tuesday for raping and killing Pule, who he lived with for three years, and ultimately setting her body on fire in Evaton, Sebokeng in 2019. Nxelelwa is said to have used a grinder to commit the murder.
Handing down the sentence, the court found that Nxelelwa showed no remorse.
"The court finds that the accused demonstrated no remorse whatsoever... In argument and as a result of pathologist's testimony, which highlighted grievousness of injuries to genitalia and anus, counsel for the defence was forced," acting judge William Karam said.
Following the sentence, Pule's aunt, Manana Seaga told eNCA that the family's trust in the justice system had been restored.
"I hope and I think that the family, from today, will start healing for the last part because it has been haunting us as a family how [the justice system] works and how it takes so long. The way Keneilwe was brutally murdered with all the bad wounds and we didn't even actually know which wound killed Keneilwe.
Gauteng Community Safety Acting Head of Department, Mr Sipho Thanjekwayo addressing Newzroom Afrika on the sentencing proceedings of Lungile who killed Keneilwe in the most gruesome manner. #endGBV pic.twitter.com/6FiOPfpweT
— GP Community Safety (@GP_CommSafety) February 9, 2021
"Today I am very happy to be here on behalf of the family to say that we can see that justice is working and they did the best job because Lungile doesn't look like someone [who should] stay amongst people because of the deeds he did to Keneilwe," said Seaga.
Officials from the provincial community safety department, who was in court to support the family, said this was one of the many cases their department was providing psycho-social support to families for.
"This is one of the many cases that we have ring-fenced through our family justice unit to ensure that we provide psycho-social support and assistance to the families and victims of gender-based violence in the province.
"We are at a very critical stage of the case where justice is about to be served as the perpetrator will be sentenced," said department spokesperson Ofentse Morwane before sentencing.
"It is important that just like we did in other cases, we continue to walk this journey with the family and provide support through our professional staff."