Vermando Vincent Chowe, a 44-year-old Mpumalanga man, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his girlfriend, Soneni Dudu Mashaba, in front of her two children. The fatal altercation occurred on December 7, 2022, in Hazyview, after Mashaba refused Chowe’s demands for sex. Chowe left the bedroom, returned with a sharpened knife, and stabbed Mashaba in the neck. Despite pleading not guilty, the post-mortem results confirmed Mashaba’s death was caused by a deep penetrating wound.
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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) emphasized that Chowe showed no remorse for his actions. During sentencing, the State argued that gender-based violence and femicide must not be tolerated, and courts must protect women’s dignity and freedom. The NPA welcomed the sentence, coinciding with the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.
This case highlights the disturbing reality of gender-based violence. A recent Human Research Science Council report revealed that over 44% of men expect their partners to agree to sex whenever demanded. This mindset perpetuates violence and abuse, emphasizing the need for continued awareness and action against such behavior.
