The man behind the murder of Cleo Diko was sentenced in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
34-year-old Diko went missing
in October 2022. Her decomposed body was found three months later on 27 January
2023 in Mandalay. There was a rope around her neck and her body was hidden
under a bed, covered with cement and tiles. Her identity had to be confirmed
through DNA testing. Her killer, Sandile Jegwa, was arrested near a railway,
where he was living.
Jegwa was handed down a
sentence of 20 years behind bars for premeditated murder.
PHOTO: Action SocietyCivil right’s organisation,
Action Society, says the family of slain Diko have waited for the more than a
year for justice.
“For 425 days, Cleo’s family
and friends had to face this murderer time and time again, only to be met with
multiple postponements and left the courtroom with more questions than answers.
However, they refused to give up, and today, the Mitchells Plain Magistrates
court was packed to the rafters with friends and loved ones of Cleo.
Ultimately, we would have preferred a life sentence, but it is good to know
that he will be removed from society for 20 years, and this will afford Cleo’s
family and members of her community some peace of mind,’’ said Kaylynn Palm,
Action Society coordinator.
“Jegwa is a murderer with a
history of violence. He was a menace to everyone around him, and even his
family was afraid of his violent behaviour. He deserves to rot in jail for the
rest of his life. He has no place in our communities, and the people of
Mandalay can rest easier tonight knowing that he has been removed from society.
“Today was a victory for
vulnerable victims of violence and murder. We have a long way to go, and we
believe heavier sentences should be handed down for crimes against women and
children, especially if the perpetrator has a history of violent behaviour. But
this was a step in the right direction in our long walk toward creating a safe
South Africa for all,” concluded Palm.
Done By: Mitchum George
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