A South African man, Fanie Petros Mtshali, 60, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the murder of his 24-year-old daughter following a heated argument.
The incident occurred in Phola, near eMalahleni (Witbank), on the night of September 10, 2022, when the victim arrived home late, sparking a confrontation with her father.
According to police spokesperson Lt-Col Jabu Ndubane, the argument escalated when Mtshali slapped his daughter, causing her to fall onto a TV.
Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Emergency services and police arrived, but she was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Mtshali was arrested the following day and charged with murder. He was denied bail and remained in custody throughout the trial.
On January 21, the eMalahleni Regional Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison.
Acting Mpumalanga police commissioner Maj-Gen Zeph Mkhwanazi welcomed the sentencing, emphasizing the devastating consequences of domestic violence and urging families to seek professional help during conflicts rather than resorting to violence.
