The mother of Dolly Tshabalala, who was fatally stabbed by her lover, former Jozi FM DJ Donald Sebolai, said justice had been served for her daughter.
"I can now easily sleep at night, because he is behind bars," Elizabeth Marawa told reporters after Judge Cassim Moosa found Sebolai guilty of murder at the High Court sitting in Palm Ridge on Monday.
Dressed in a brownish hat and big dark shades, Marawa described her daughter as a respectful, ambitious person.
She told reporters her daughter was the bread winner and, following her death, the family was struggling financially.
It had been an emotional day for Marawa, who had at one point left the packed courtroom after weeping as Moosa went through evidence of how Tshabalala was killed by her lover.
While Marawa rejoiced, a few steps away was Sebolai's family, who sat in the front row of the court gallery looking distraught.
The group, who had often been by Sebolai's side, spoke amongst themselves.
Several minutes earlier, Sebolai had stood in the dock, directly in front of them, visibly battling to maintain his composure after hearing the guilty verdict.
Dressed in a dark suit and tie, he held a white tissue and continuously wiped his face.
Moosa had told the court he rejected Sebolai's version that Tshabalala stabbed herself as the pair of them struggled over a knife she had used to stab him, reportedly after accusing him of cheating.
Sebolai was found guilty of murder as well as of obstructing the ends of justice.
Moosa said after seeing the accused bleeding profusely, he tended to his own wound and failed to take her to the hospital, only 900m from his Soweto flat.
Tshabalala bled to death and was found dead in Sebolai’s bed in June last year.
She had a single stab wound to the pelvic area, which cut through a main artery.
Following the judgment, the State called for the court to revoke Sebolai’s bail, adding he was a flight risk.
The State told the court that Sebolai had been on the run for nine days after Tshabalala’s lifeless body was discovered.
Moosa agreed to re-incarcerate Sebolai and told his lawyers they would have to follow the proper channels if they wanted him released again pending his sentencing on November 25.
Asked what punishment was befitting of Sebolai, Marawa said it was out of her hands.
"I am handing it over to God, because he is also a child of God. God will take care of him," she said.
Sebolai spoke briefly to his family as he was led down to the court cells.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the verdict.
Spokesperson Phindi Louw called for the harshest possible sentence, adding this would deter criminals from committing such crimes.
Source: News24
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