LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR INTIMATE PARTNER FEMICIDE

22 AUGUST 2025

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR INTIMATE PARTNER FEMICIDE

The Scottburgh Regional Court has sentenced a 38-year-old man to life imprisonment for the murder of his partner in March 2024 in the Hlanzeni area of Umkomaas.

On 29 March 2024, the deceased and her two minor children visited the accused at his residence. At some point, an argument arose after the accused confronted the deceased, suspecting her of infidelity. He began assaulting her with his hands and proceeded to stab her using a screwdriver and a kitchen knife. The deceased was unarmed during the attack. The accused then poured boiling water all over the deceased’s body. The incident occurred in front of the children. Thereafter, the accused fled the scene, leaving the children with the deceased. He was arrested a few days later in the Umkomaas area.

In court, the prosecutor Thanusha Govender led the evidence of the SAPS Official who attended the scene, and the testimony of one of the children who witnessed the incident. The findings of the doctor who conducted the postmortem, were also revealed in court. The postmortem showed that due to the attack, the deceased had suffered severe burns, and she had sustained about 80% damage to her brain.

There was also a trial within a trial in respect of a confession made by the accused. Following evidence led by the state, the court found the confession to be admissible. In furtherance of the state’s case, Ms. Govender handed in Victim Impact Statements (VIS) compiled by the deceased’s family members and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nokukhanya Mkhize. The sentiments from the VIS are that the death of the deceased has left an indelible, irreversible mark on her family members. Her children will have to live their lives without their mother, and their lives will never be the same.

The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the life sentence handed down. We trust that the successful finalisation of these cases bring closure to the victims’ families. The NPA is committed to removing violent criminals from our communities and pursuing justice on behalf of the victims of crime.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KZN Division

0716700229