Police officer sentenced to 20 years for acid attack that killed partner

Courtney Badrodien Madella, a 30-year-old police officer, was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment by the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division in Johannesburg.

This decision follows a tragic incident where Madella was found guilty of murdering her partner, Nomalungelo Khumalo, through a brutal acid attack.

In February 2023, the couple attended a party with a friend, returning home shortly after. An argument erupted between Madella and Khumalo leading to Madella throwing acid on her partner, inflicting severe and devastating burn injuries.

The attack was so intense that it also harmed the friend, who had been asleep on a couch nearby. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Khumalo succumbed to her injuries.

The Court’s ruling saw Madella receiving 15 years for the murder charge, with an additional five-year sentence for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). Importantly, these sentences were ordered to run consecutively, resulting in an effective 20-year prison term.

Prosecutors highlighted the seriousness and brutality of the offending act. Senior State Advocate Rachel Kau underscored the profound impact of the crime, calling upon Khumalo’s mother to testify about the distressing experience of seeing her daughter in such a tragic state before her death.

In a powerful statement, Advocate Kau characterised Madella as the “clear aggressor,” reinforcing the gravity of her actions during the trial.

The defence sought a leniency that would result in a mere five-year sentence under correctional supervision; however, this request was firmly rejected. The Judge’s decision reflects a strong stance against intimate partner violence, indicating that such abhorrent actions cannot be tolerated.

IOL