NPA SECURES LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR MAN WHO MURDERED EX-GIRLFRIEND

MBOMBELA, MPUMALANGA – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured a life sentence against Mandla Sizwe Nkosi (37) for the premeditated murder of his former girlfriend, Thembeka Nomfundo Bembe (32), at Kanyamazane Extension 19.

The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Mbombela sentenced Nkosi to life imprisonment for murder, 12 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder, eight years for unlawful possession of a firearm, and five years for unlawful possession of ammunition.

The sentences were ordered to run concurrently, meaning that Nkosi will effectively serve life imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The sentence underscores the NPA’s commitment to holding perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) accountable and securing justice for victims, survivors and their families.

Bembe and Nkosi had previously been in a domestic relationship and lived together. Following their separation, Bembe began receiving death threats from an unknown person, prompting her to open a criminal case.

On 30 June 2022, Bembe was with her sister at her rented flat in Kanyamazane Extension 19 when the electricity in their room suddenly went off, while the lights in other rooms remained on. The two went outside to investigate at the electricity distribution box.

As they approached the box, gunfire was directed at them, forcing the sisters to run in different directions in an attempt to escape. Bembe was shot and succumbed to her injuries, while her sister survived the attack unharmed.

Following an intensive police investigation conducted by Warrant Officer Ben Nkambule, Nkosi was arrested and charged in May 2025.

During the trial, Nkosi pleaded not guilty and denied involvement in the offences. However, State Advocate Reuben Sekgobela presented compelling circumstantial evidence linking him to the crime.

The State led evidence from a traditional healer who testified that Nkosi had approached him for cleansing after committing the offences. A data analyst also presented cellphone evidence that placed Nkosi in the vicinity of the crime scene at the time of the attack.

The court accepted the evidence presented by the State and rejected Nkosi’s version as false.

In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Sekgobela highlighted the devastating consequences of gender-based violence and femicide and urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. The court was also informed that Bembe, who was employed as a nurse at the time of her death, left behind three minor children who must now grow up without their mother.

The State further presented Victim Impact Statements facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nomfundo Mokoena and compiled by Bembe’s family and the surviving victim in the attempted murder charge. The statements detailed the profound emotional, psychological and financial impact of the crime on the victims and their families.

The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances warranting a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence and imposed life imprisonment for the murder.

The NPA welcomes the sentence as an important affirmation that perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide will be pursued and prosecuted without fear, favour or prejudice.

This prosecution sends a clear message that violence against women, particularly within intimate relationships, will be met with the full force of the law. The NPA will continue to vigorously prosecute perpetrators of GBVF and work to ensure that victims and their families receive justice.

The NPA encourages victims and survivors of domestic violence to report incidents to law enforcement authorities and seek assistance from available support services so that appropriate intervention can be provided and perpetrators can be held accountable.

Monica Nyuswa

NPA Regional Spokesperson

DPP: Mpumalanga