By Staff Reporter
TZANEEN – The Tzaneen Regional Court has sentenced 41-year-old Matome Daniel Modiba to life imprisonment for the attempted murder of his girlfriend, whom he shot and left severely injured after she ended their relationship.
The incident occurred in November 2023 in Haenertsburg, where Modiba ambushed the victim at her workplace. Consumed by jealousy after believing she had left him for another man, he confronted her as she got out of a taxi. Armed with a firearm, Modiba shot her, dragged her out of his car, and left her bleeding at the scene.
Co-workers who witnessed the attack alerted the employer, who rushed the victim to hospital. She spent three months recovering and was left with permanent injuries that made her unable to return to work.
During sentencing, Prosecutor Isaac Mahlangu told the court that the victim continues to endure physical and emotional trauma. Her injuries disfigured her and robbed her of her ability to support her 11-year-old son.
Mahlangu urged the court to impose a strong sentence, emphasizing that gender-based and domestic violence must be met with firm consequences. “The prescribed minimum sentences act as a deterrent and reaffirm society’s condemnation of such crimes,” he said.
Delivering judgment, Regional Court Magistrate Antoinette Lamminga ruled that there were no substantial or compelling reasons to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. Modiba was sentenced to life imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence, commending the victim for her courage in seeking justice and praising the efforts of Prosecutor Mahlangu and Sergeant Lesiba Daniel Molepo from Haenertsburg Police Station for their professionalism.
“This sentence sends a clear message that gender-based and domestic violence will not be tolerated,” the NPA said, reaffirming its commitment to protecting victims and upholding the sanctity of human life.
