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Pastry chef Thembekile Letlape
Businessman Sibusiso Zitha accused of the murder of pastry chef Thembekile Letlape has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.
Zitha appeared in the High Court in Johannesburg on Friday.
He had been convicted of the murder of his former partner whose body was found at their place of residence in Fourways in May last year.
Letlape succumbed to her wounds. In July this year, 41-year-old Zitha was found guilty of her murder. This is what he had to say during mitigating arguments in court on Thursday.
“It wasn’t one thing; it wasn’t about her. I had problems, I had issues, and I think they piled up to a point where I got triggered. So I was not okay, and I knew I was not okay. So, when I met the deceased, I did mention this to her and one of the reasons I loved her was that she accepted me as I was, and that shouldn’t have been the case.”
“On the night of the incident, it wasn’t about that particular night, but we had a fight, there was an exchange of words, unpleasant words about a sensitive topic and I’m touchy. I snapped, and I couldn’t stop myself, until I saw her body laying on the floor,” he explained.
Zitha asked Letlape’s family to forgive him.
“Ntate Letlape, Tebogo, Mamzo, there aren’t words to describe what I have done and the pain that I have caused you. I’m deeply, deeply sorry for what happened and for the pain that I’ve put you through. I’m sorry, I’m very sorry I betrayed you. I should have been more open with you, I should have been more forthcoming with you about my own personal problems that were impacting my relationship with Thembi but I had my own pride issues that got in the way and led to her passing and I ask you to please if you can find it in your hearts to one day forgive me for my actions, it wasn’t my intention.”
