Relief as socialite’s killer gets life sentence

 

Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent

JUSTICE has finally been served, providing closure for the family, relatives, friends, and colleagues of murdered popular Mutare hairdresser — Yvonne Mitchell Mafuta — after her killer was imprisoned for life.

The murderer, Thulani Mhlanga (40) — who was the victim’s boyfriend — was held accountable, and will spend the rest of his life behind bars for the gruesome crime.

This life sentence, handed down by Justice Isaac Muzenda on Tuesday at the Mutare High Court, marked the end of a harrowing chapter for Mitchell’s grieving family, friends, and a community that followed the case with keen interest, heartbreak and outrage since the tragedy happened in January last year.

Mhlanga confessed in court to fatally assaulting Mitchell in a fit of jealousy, and smashed her head against the wall three times on suspicion of infidelity.

Among those most affected by the aftermath of the crime was Mr Lovebond Mutora — the taxi driver who had ferried Mhlanga to the late Mitchell’s residence prior to the brutal murder.

In the weeks that followed, Mr Mutora faced suspicion and public scrutiny, particularly on the social media, despite his innocence.

“This is quite relieving. The investigation process was not easy. I lost myself. People on the social media accused me of being involved. My work suffered. My family life was affected. I was confused and depressed,” said Mr Mutora.

He recalled how the late Mitchell had informed him about her boyfriend’s arrival from Harare.

Acting on her instructions, Mr Mutora picked up Mhlanga at Stanbic Bank after getting his number from the deceased.

He transported him to her residence, \unaware of the tragic events that would soon follow.

The next day, Mr Mutora was asked to buy food for the lovebirds, but when the now late Mitchell failed to contact him afterwards, he assumed all was well until the deceased’s friend later called to inform him she had been found dead.

“I played a key role in assisting the police by providing crucial details, including advising them to review the CCTV footage from Stanbic Bank. The footage confirmed that I had picked Mhlanga up, and also captured him switching SIM cards, which helped identify him clearly. I was called multiple times by different officers throughout the investigation process. It was an incredibly stressful time, people accused me of being involved. Some even threatened me with violence.

 

“My work suffered, and my family life was turned upside down. I could not function normally. I was one of the main witnesses in court. I was waiting for the judgement for a long time, and now that it has come, I feel a deep sense of relief. My family is also relieved. At one point, a lot of people believed that I had something to do with the murder. Colleagues and others judged me, and the social media was flooded with speculation and false accusations,” added Mr Mutora.

“The convict told the judge that he killed her on suspicion that she had many boyfriends. He showed no remorse. But I am grateful to the police for handling the investigations professionally. They treated me fairly. Even though the process took time, with some people losing hope, justice has finally been served. It is a huge relief.”

In a separate interview, Mitchell’s sister, Ms Catherine Mafuta, who attended the court session for Mhlanga’s sentencing said the family was a relieved lot.

“Although we cannot bring our dear sister back, we are relieved that Mhlanga will spend the rest of his life behind bars. It is a very fair sentence, and he deserves it. It is still heartbreaking for us as a family and relatives, and it will take us forever to heal. The pain hits differently,” said Mafuta.

Mitchell’s friend and colleague, Ms Alithabeloe Tlou, who is a popular city nail technician, said the sentence brought huge relief to them.

“We never took the issue lightly. We felt robbed. The gap that she left is yawningly big. She will forever be missed. The sentence came as a relief to me as well as colleagues and friends, who associated with her. With the killer sentenced to life in prison, it is a relieving development,” she said.

In a statement, chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Honourable Gertrude Mutandi lauded the sentence.

“We commend the judiciary and law enforcement agents for ensuring that justice prevailed. This case underscores the urgent need to protect women from Gender-Based Violence. This sentence sends a strong message that any brutality against women in any form is intolerable,” she said.