Allow wife killer to raise his children, family begs court

THE welfare of convicted wife killer and prominent Gugulethu businesman Thembile Vokozela’s two minor children came under scrutiny as his family begged that the court allow him to raise his children.

Thembile was convicted for the murder of his wife and business partner, Regina Vokozela, in Gugulethu in 2013.

Thembile, popularly known as “Morris” shot his wife multiple times with a 9mm pistol at their home and business premises at, no 1 NY 48. He was charged with defeating the ends of justice after he hid the murder weapon behind the wardrobe drawer and removed all used cartridges, before police arrived. He locked himself in the house with the corpse.

The court heard that Thembile and his wife had a “stormy relationship and fought over money”. He was arrested a few weeks before his wife’s murder for beating her, but later released on bail.

Yesterday, during sentence proceedings, the accused’s siblings begged the court to be lenient. His sibling, Mzoxolo Vokozela, said his convicted brother was a good father to his three children, specifically the two teenagers, a boy and girl. “I’d like that he be granted the opportunity to take care of his children. At the moment no one is giving them the love and care they need.”

The court heard that the teen girl was suffering from depression and had suicidal thoughts. She was seeing a psychiatrist.

Thembile’s sister, Zingisa Vokozela, said his son Thembisile, who is now heading the business, was abusing alcohol. But when Thembisile took the stand he rejected the allegations.

“It’s not the first time that the accused is away. I don’t see why the business will not succeed with him gone,” he testified.

IT’S NOT THE FIRST TIME HE’S AWAY. I DON’T SEE BUSINESS NOT SUCCEEDING WITH HIM GONE