News24.com | 'I'm ashamed to sit here as a man and be associated with you' - judge to man who killed Mazibuko sisters

• A high court judge delivered harsh words when he sentenced a man convicted of killing two sisters.
• Judge Takalani Ratshibvumo sentenced Rassie Nkune to two life terms.
• Nkune had allegedly also confessed to police that he killed Hillary Gardee.

"Your deeds are a disgrace, especially to us men. I'm ashamed to sit here as a man and be associated with you."

An irritated Judge Takalani Ratshibvumo uttered these words on Thursday when he sentenced Halbirwa Rassie Nkune, 36, to two life terms in the Mbombela High Court in Nelspruit.

Nkune had pleaded guilty to killing Marcia Mazibuko, 41, and her sister, Pretty Mazibuko, 46, on 15 May 2022 in KaNyamazane.

He is also the man who allegedly confessed to police that he killed Hillary Gardee.

Nkune first dated Pretty in 2010. Marcia was employed and stationed at Ngodwana police station, occupying the rank of sergeant.

Nkune and Pretty started living together in 2017. At the time, Pretty was going through a divorce.

On 29 September 2015, Nkune was convicted and sentenced to four years for possessing an unlicenced firearm and ammunition. On 6 July 2016, he was released on parole.

Ratshibvumo said there were no compelling reasons to hand down anything other than a life sentence.

"The court can only deviate from life imprisonment if substantial and compelling reasons justify a lesser sentence. It doesn't give me any pleasure to sentence you. You have your loved ones out there.

"You have two children who expect to enjoy their love from their father. You have a family that hopes you to come back to them. Whichever way it goes, you have to be sentenced. 

"I drew courage from the victim impact statements when I figured out how the deceased's family could feel. After all, that is what I'm expected to do.

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"After killing the deceased, Nkune decided to run away. He failed to hand himself over. He was arrested for another matter and claimed to be remorseful. When did he become remorseful for the first time? Was it when he was arrested? When he was on the run? What role did he play in assisting in the burial of the deceased?

"Surely, remorse needs more than that. You don't come to the court and cry and say you are remorseful. You need more than that. He knew the two sisters were mothers. He didn't reach out to any of their kids to offer any help for any predicament they were faced with.

"What was important to you was to run away from the police. You were more concerned about your freedom. Your deeds are a disgrace, especially to us men. I'm ashamed to sit here as a man and be associated with you," said Ratshibvumo.

"What was the argument that led to killing the two ladies? I don't find anything tangible. From your statement, it appears Marcia disapproved of your relationship with Pretty. What I find interesting is that you were not starting a relationship.

"From you, it appeared Marcia uttered words of disapproval of her sister dating an unemployed man who had money; surely that man was a criminal. On 15 May 2022, you wanted to leave with Pretty, who was enjoying her moment with Marcia and her neighbour.

"According to Vusimuzi Zwane, you returned after 10 minutes. As to why you decided to return, only you can tell. When you arrived, you pulled a gun and shot at a glass Pretty was drinking from. Everybody was frightened. They did not know you intended to instil fear," said Ratshibvumo.

Nkune then took Pretty's phone, stood far away, and started fiddling with it.

She then walked to the car, where he was parked.

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"Pretty got into driver's seat. Nkune ran after her; she locked herself inside. You shouted. You decided to fire shots through the window, killing her instantly. You walked back in a rage of anger, looking for Marcia, annoyed that she caused you to kill your girlfriend. Marcia ran upstairs, you chased her, shot at her, and she fell," said Ratshibvumo.

Losing battle 

"You are an educated man with a national diploma in mechanical engineering. If a man like you can't understand that women are not our toys and that, when we are not happy with them, we kill them.

"What will it take for men to understand women are equal to us? When we encounter difficulties, we use our mouths to talk. If we can't talk to solve our problems, let's part ways. What will it take for men to understand that we are fighting a losing battle?" asked Ratshibvumo.

"Although it may appear we are fighting a losing battle, I want the message to go out there in Mpumalanga that the courts will not give up on this battle. We will see that gender based-violence is fought head-on until we win it. The courts will punish anyone who treats a woman like a subhuman. 

"In so, we will deter anyone from committing crimes against women and kids. What I'm finding is more aggravating circumstances than mitigating factors. You are sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Marcia Mazibuko. You are also sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Pretty Mazibuko," said Ratshibvumo.

The court ordered the two life sentences to run concurrently.

Nkune is also facing another murder charge after allegedly killing Nonkululeko Crystal Nkosi in Sundra on 6 August 2022.

Using social media, he allegedly lured Nkosi, of Witbank, to Sundra.

Nkune allegedly threatened Nkosi with a firearm, strangled her, and threw her into a ditch before fleeing with her Mercedes Benz vehicle, which was later found abandoned in Sundra.

Nkosi succumbed to her injuries the following day in hospital, but had pointed out Nkune as her attacker.

Last month, charges against Nkune, Sipho Lawrence Mkhatshwa, Albert Mduduzi Gama and Philemon Lukhele were provisionally withdrawn in the same building.

The four were arrested for allegedly kidnapping and killing Gardee.

They walked free after the State said it could not locate its key witnesses.