Manqele deserves a chance: experts

10 March 2016 - 10:14 By Nomahlubi Jordaan

Sindisiwe Manqele‚ who has been convicted of murdering her rapper boyfriend Nkululeko “Flabba” Habedi‚ has shown remorse for her actions and deserves a chance to be part of society. This is according to experts called by the defence on Wednesday to testify in mitigation of sentence for Manqele in the Johannesburg High Court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court.Criminologist Zaine Halle‚ who interviewed Manqele to compile a presentencing report‚ said: “Although she deserves to be punished‚ she should be given a chance to be a functioning member of society‚” Halle said.Manqele‚ 26‚ was found guilty in December of murdering Habedi‚ 37‚ who was a member of hip-hop group Skwatta Kamp. Halle said Manqele had told him that she had been in abusive relationships. She had dated a man from Spain for two years between 2007 and 2009 before meeting Habedi.The relationship‚ Halle said‚ was characterised by verbal and physical abuse. Manqele experienced the same kind of abuse at Habedi’s hands‚ except that he only became physically abusive on the fateful night‚ Halle said.Sentencing proceedings in her case started on Wednesday exactly a year after Habedi's death. Manqele stabbed him in the chest on March 9 last year in his home in Alexandra‚ Johannesburg.She has pleaded not guilty to murder‚ saying she acted in self-defence during a fight between the couple.Halle told the court that Manqele had since the incident‚ become “scared” and found it difficult to concentrate.“She no longer wants to go out and prefers to spend time with family. She has become more assertive than she was before‚” Halle said.Halle said Manqele had showed remorse for her actions and was disturbed by what she had done.Manqele had told Halle that she had caused many people pain and did not know who she was anymore‚ Halle said.Halle told the court that Manqele had said that she wished she had gone back to Ireland in February.“…the deceased asked her to stay longer‚” Halle said.Halle said one of Manqele’s childhood friends had described her as an assertive person‚ who made sure her voice was heard. She was popular at school and was a glamorous person‚ Halle said.The defence team had earlier called clinical psychologist Seipati Monyamane‚ who told the court that Manqele did not suffer from any mental illness‚ but was an anxious person.She found her to be remorseful for her actions because she was emotional.She said Manqele was suffering from among others‚ shortness of breath‚ sleep disturbance‚ lack of appetite‚ irritability and feelings of sadness.Under cross examination‚ prosecutor Paul Schutte asked Monyamane if Manqele had taken responsibility for Habedi’s death‚ she said she had not.Habedi’s brother Tsepang told the court that the family was finding it difficult to come to terms with Habedi’s death.He said his brother united his family and was loved by everybody.The trial continues.– TMG Digital/TMG Courts and Law..

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