Life behind bars for Mariannhill man who murdered pregnant partner
A man from Mariannhill has begun serving a life sentence for various crimes of femicide.
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A man from Mariannhill has begun serving a life sentence for various crimes of femicide.
The 34-year-old killed his pregnant partner and assaulted her eight-year-old boy in 2021.
The Durban High Court heard that the couple's relationship was volatile and he would often verbally and physically abuse the woman and her child.
KZN NPA spokesperson Natasha Kara says the court was also told that the woman had obtained an interim protection order against the man.
READ: KZN man sentenced for hacking pregnant girlfriend to death
"In November 2021, the man assaulted the woman again, she was 24 weeks pregnant. He punched her several times, kicked her and sat on her stomach. He thereafter poured paraffin on her and set her alight.
"This was done in the presence of her son, who was also assaulted. The man fled the scene and was arrested after police traced his whereabouts. The woman sustained burn wounds to her head, torso and lower limbs. She was taken to the hospital where she miscarried her unborn foetus and she subsequently died because of her injuries.
"The man was sentenced to five years imprisonment for the assault of the woman, three years imprisonment for intimidation, 10 years imprisonment for the assault of a minor and life imprisonment for murder. His effective sentence is life imprisonment."
