Prison not best place for Flabba’s killer: expert
A psychologist has testified that sending Sindiswe Manqele to prison for the murder of rapper Nkululeko "Flabba" Habedi, is not ideal.
|||Johannesburg - Prison would not be an ideal environment for convicted murderer Sindisiwe Manqele and she is a suitable candidate for house arrest.
This is according to clinical psychologist Seipati Monyamane who took the stand at the high court sitting in Palm Ridge on Wednesday during sentencing proceedings.
In December, the former business studies student was found guilty of stabbing her boyfriend, Skwatta Kamp rapper Nkululeko “Flabba” Habedi, during a lover's quarrel at his Alexandra home.
She was granted R15 000 bail at the time and was placed under stringent correctional supervision.
Wednesday marks the anniversary of his death and many of his loved ones, including his daughter Lesego, mother Agatha and brother Tshepang were in court for proceedings.
Meanwhile, Manqele was draped in a scarf, as usual, in a bid to shield herself from the large media contingent.
During the mitigation of sentencing, Monyamane told the court that Manqele reported to her during consultations that, since the fatal stabbing, she experienced an absence of pleasure, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances and increased irritability.
Monyamane also told the court that although Manqele showed signs of anxiety, she did not appear to have any mental instabilities and that they could not be blamed for her actions which led to Habedi's death.
She added that she only conducted assessments with her and did not perform any form treatment.
Monyamane also suggested individual psychotherapy for Manqele, as she experienced much trauma in her young life, including the deaths of her older sisters, brother as well as both her parents.
The clinical psychologist told the court that Manqele did show remorse for killing Habedi and would become emotional when speaking about him or the stabbing incident that ended life.
She said she interpreted Manqele's suicide attempt, after she realised that she killed the rapper, as her not intending for her lover to die.
Assessment officer at the department of correctional services Medhurst Mapitsa also testified that Manqele is a candidate for correctional supervision, as she did not violate her bail condition, has no prior convictions, showed signs of remorse and has a fixed address.
He said that she intends to ask Habedi's family for forgiveness for the role she played in his murder.
Mapitsa also told the court that if she is ordered to be under house arrest, Manqele will undergo routine drug and alcohol testing.
Manqele testified during her murder trial last year that in an act of jealousy and because of his low self-esteem caused by his financial problems, Habedi assaulted her and called her a “gold digger, bitch and prostitute” during a heated lovers’ quarrel.
This was after he spotted two men speaking to her at the Sands nightclub in Sandton.
Manqele also testified that in a desperate bid to defend herself and escape his wrath, she plunged a kitchen knife in Habedi’s chest. But those who were with the couple at the time painted Manqele as the jealous one who became enraged when she saw Habedi speaking to other women at the club, including his ex-girlfriend.
Sentencing proceedings continue.
karishma.dipa@inl.co.za
IOL
* Use IOL’s Facebook and Twitter pages to comment on our stories. See links below.