A South African traffic officer has been handed a life sentence for the brutal murder of his wife, which he committed in front of their two young children in a shocking case of domestic violence that has gripped the nation.
Brutal Crime Scene in Mamelodi
Zakhele Bennet Hlongwane, a 53-year-old provincial traffic officer, was sentenced by the Pretoria High Court on Friday for the premeditated murder of his 33-year-old wife, Desire Tili Ngobeni. The court heard how Hlongwane went to his wife's parental home in Mamelodi, Gauteng, on 1 April 2024 at approximately 5 am.
The convicted officer broke down the door to Ngobeni's room and opened fire, shooting her multiple times while their three-year-old and five-year-old children watched in terror. The horrific incident unfolded in the early morning hours, leaving the young children traumatized witnesses to their mother's murder.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
According to Gauteng regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Lumka Mahanjana, Hlongwane received additional sentences for related crimes. He was given five years for pointing a firearm and two years for malicious property damage, though these sentences will run concurrently with his life imprisonment.
The court further declared Hlongwane unfit to possess a firearm, a significant ruling given his position as a law enforcement officer. State Advocate Vusimuzi Tshabalala argued strongly against leniency, emphasizing that Hlongwane's apologies appeared to be expressions of regret rather than genuine remorse, especially since they were only offered after conviction.
Failed Defense and Judicial Response
During court proceedings, Hlongwane pleaded guilty to murder and pointing a firearm, claiming he acted out of anger and had not planned to kill his wife. His defense team requested leniency, arguing that he was a first-time offender who had shown remorse by writing apology letters to the victim's family and community.
However, Judge Mashudu Munzhelele rejected these arguments, describing the crime as "extremely brutal and careless." The judge emphasized that as a law enforcement official, Hlongwane was expected to uphold the law rather than violate it in such a horrific manner.
"Imposing a lesser sentence would undermine the severity of this offence," Judge Munzhelele stated during the sentencing. The court found that Hlongwane had failed to demonstrate genuine remorse and that there were no substantial reasons to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence for such crimes.
Following the gunshots, Ngobeni's cousin emerged from his room, only to have Hlongwane point the firearm at him before fleeing the scene. Approximately one hour later, the traffic officer surrendered himself at the Mamelodi police station, where he has remained in custody since the NPA successfully opposed his bail application.
Acting director of public prosecutions in Gauteng, advocate Marika Jansen van Vuuren, commended the prosecutor's work, stating: "It can never be overemphasised how important human life is. The NPA will continue to pursue such cases vigorously to ensure justice for victims and to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders."
