MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER OF GIRLFRIEND

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured an effective 25-year prison sentence for 34-year-old Siyo Gift Mcedisi, who was convicted of murdering his girlfriend, Samkelisiwe Charlotte Ntinga, and defeating the ends of justice. The sentence was handed down by the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg, sitting at Palm Ridge.

Mcedisi pleaded guilty to both charges in terms of a plea and sentence agreement concluded between the State and the defence under section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act. He was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment for murder and two years for defeating the ends of justice. The sentences will run concurrently.

The court heard that Mcedisi and Ntinga were in a romantic relationship and lived together in Alberton. They had a two-year-old daughter. On 30 July 2025, an argument broke out at their home after Mcedisi discovered that Ntinga had been exchanging messages with her former boyfriend.

During the altercation, Mcedisi pushed Ntinga’s head against a closed door three times. The final impact was so forceful that the door opened, and Ntinga collapsed to the ground, bleeding from her nose and mouth and struggling to breathe. Mcedisi admitted that he unlawfully and intentionally killed her by inflicting fatal head injuries.

In an attempt to conceal the crime, Mcedisi used Ntinga’s cellphone to send WhatsApp messages to her workplace and her mother. On 1 August 2025, he transported her body to an open field in Coronation Park, Krugersdorp, where he set it alight and abandoned it. He also falsely reported her missing to the police and her family, intending to obstruct the administration of justice. Her charred body was discovered on 02 August 2025.

On 21 August 2025, Mcedisi was admitted to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital following a failed suicide attempt. The following day, he confessed to the murder to a social worker at the hospital and was subsequently arrested.

In considering sentence, Senior State Advocate Matshediso Phatlanyane and the defence took into account the seriousness of the offences, the interests of the community and Mcedisi’s personal circumstances. The parties agreed that substantial and compelling circumstances justified a departure from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment for murder. These circumstances included his guilty plea, lack of previous convictions, expression of remorse and the time he had spent in custody awaiting the finalisation of the case.

The NPA reiterates its commitment to fighting gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), in line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent call for decisive action against violence targeting women and children.

Issued by:

Magaboke Mohlatlole

NPA Communications Officer

Gauteng Division, Johannesburg