The father of the murdered deputy sheriff, Michelle Jones, said he is satisfied with the life sentence the Mbombela High Court recently handed down to his daughter’s killer.
According to Monica Nyuswa, the spokesperson for the Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority, Michelle had purchased a house occupied by Dlamini. On October 19, 2022, the day before the murder, Michelle and Cohen went to the house to change the locks, prompting Dlamini’s arrival. He aggressively asserted his ownership of the house, which he claimed belonged to his mother. He further threatened to kill them, and as a result, the pair applied for a protection order against the accused.
Despite the state’s successful opposition to his bail release, Dlamini pleaded not guilty during the trial and opted to represent himself. In light of the credible evidence presented, the court found Dlamini guilty as charged. Before imposing the sentence, Judge Roelofse remarked that the accused had the clear intention to kill the deceased. He emphasised the seriousness of the crime, describing it as an attack against a defenceless woman, and that the accused had shown no remorse for his actions.