Tabita at peace as estranged husband convicted

Dr Tabita Boto is finally at peace. The man who shot her in the face, someone she once loved, has been found guilty of his crimes.

And as her estranged husband faces a possible jail term of up to 15 years, the mother of three is making plans to move forward with her life.

This week, a magistrate rejected Dr Mkhuseli Boto’s version that the gun was fired accidentally, shooting Tabita, 36, in the face.

The court instead found that, after he shot her at their Summerstrand family home over suspicions that she was having an extramarital affair, he walked upstairs and attempted to commit suicide.

Both survived the harrowing ordeal.

Boto’s defence advocate, Mxolisi Moolman, said he would ask for a correctional supervision report before sentencing in June.

He wants to try to avoid a jail term for his client.

Boto, 50, has been remanded.

“I have renewed hope in the justice system of our country,” Tabita said on Friday from her new home in East London, where she is once again practising medicine.

“I am relieved about the conviction.

“There are still so many good people in this world — people who care for the truth and the lives of their fellow South Africans.”

Tabita had to undergo several surgeries as a result of the August 31 shooting.

The bullet penetrated her jaw and caused her to suffer severe hearing loss.

The scarring is now barely visible on her pretty face.

“Through this process I got to meet so many kind Samaritans —  my lawyer, Joanne Anthony-Gooden, has been my rock and my pillar — when I lost hope she restored it and gave me new strength.

“She even spoke in court. In her, I’ve found an older sister and a dear friend.”

Tabita said Yokhuselo Haven, a shelter for vulnerable women and children, had opened its doors to her whenever she needed to be at court.

She moved back to East London after she was discharged from hospital as she continued to fear for her life.

Port Elizabeth regional court magistrate Thobile Jikela found Tabita to be an excellent witness.

But Jikela said Boto, had concocted his story as he went along.

After the shooting, Boto attempted to take his own life with an insulin overdose and has been at the hospital section of St Albans prison ever since.

The two were in the process of an acrimonious divorce.

“My biggest hero is the paramedic who dragged me out of the house that day.

“I am heartbroken that I don’t know his name,” Tabita said.

She also commended the investigating team and prosecutor Benedict Wilson for their hard work in securing a conviction.

Because of them, she said, the man who had so brazenly attacked her would remain behind bars.

“And I now feel safe enough to fall asleep at night.” 

Sentence proceedings have been set down for June 22.