LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER

28 OCTOBER 2025

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER

The Melmoth Regional Court has sentenced a 30-year-old man to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to murdering his fiancée in November 2024 in the Mfanefile area. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. On the day of the incident, the accused went to the woman’s homestead to speak to her and resolve some issues that they were experiencing. She was with her friend, and he asked her friend to leave so that they could speak in private. Once the friend left, he stabbed the woman 16 times and was seen leaving the homestead with a knife in his hand. On the same day, he went to the Melmoth Police Station, where he made a confession and was subsequently arrested.

In aggravation of the sentence, Prosecutor Nomthandazo Mkhize handed in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by the woman’s mother and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Amanda Pretty Nxumalo. In her statement, the mother said that her daughter was a respectful and supportive person who loved her family. The mother said that their house has now become a crime scene and a constant reminder of the day her daughter was murdered.

This conviction reaffirms the NPA’s steadfast commitment to securing justice for victims of violent crime and their loved ones. While no sentence can erase the pain of loss, we hope that this outcome provides some measure of closure to the bereaved family.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KZN Division

071 6700 229