Killer DJ weeps as he battles to escape life term

433 Former Jozi FM Dj Donald Sebolai speaks to his family at Palmridge court in ekurhuleni where he is appearing for sentencing after he was found guilty for murdering his girlfriend. 100216

433 Former Jozi FM Dj Donald Sebolai speaks to his family at Palmridge court in ekurhuleni where he is appearing for sentencing after he was found guilty for murdering his girlfriend. 100216

Published Feb 11, 2016

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Johannesburg - Convicted murderer Donald Sebolai’s emotions got the better of him as he wept intermittently during his sentencing procedures on Wednesday.

The former Jozi FM DJ was convicted last year of the murder of his girlfriend, Dolly Tshabalala.

The court had heard during the murder trial that Tshabalala, 32, was stabbed to death during an argument in Sebolai’s Soweto flat in June 2014. She was stabbed several times in the lower abdomen and died as a result of severe blood loss.

Read:  I didn’t mean to kill her, says DJ Donald

On Wednesday, Sebolai - known as “DJ Donald Duck” - battled to hold back his tears as he attempted to convince the high court in Palm Ridge that he should not be sentenced to life imprisonment.

In mitigation of his sentencing, he said Tshabalala’s death was the result of a lovers' quarrel gone wrong and that she had died during the fight for a knife.

“I never woke up that day with the intention of killing Dolly,” he said.

He also made an emotional plea during his testimony to Tshabalala’s family, who filled the public benches, urging them to believe his version of events and “not what other people were saying”.

Slapping is not assault, says DJ Donald

He wailed, insisting that the two of them were in love and that Tshabalala’s death had caused him pain.

While on the stand, Sebolai attempted to paint himself as a model citizen who liked to help people in his community.

He told the court that during his time as a DJ on a radio station, he would host gospel concerts and tell those attending to donate non-perishable food instead of paying an entrance fee. He would donate the groceries to those in need, adding he was also available to care for the elderly who were sickly.

A shackled Sebolai said a lengthy time behind bars would have a detrimental effect on his family, as he supported about 10 relatives, including his three young children, parents, nieces and nephews.

He understood that Tshabalala’s death also had a financial impact on her own family, as she was the breadwinner, and said he was willing to support them.

Sebolai also insisted he was not a violent man and that he only “slapped” his previous girlfriends to “reprimand” them or for them to “keep away”.

Proceedings continue on Thursday.

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