JUSTICE CATCHES UP WITH KILLERS
19 SEPTEMBER 2025
JUSTICE CATCHES UP WITH KILLERS
The Dundee Regional Court has sentenced Siphamandla Ndlovu (38), Nkosingiphile Kunene (39), and Nosipho Francisca Kunene (23) to various terms of imprisonment for the murder of Mhlonipheni Elphas Buthelezi (50) in Kunene Farm in Dundee in December 2023. Their co-accused, Bongiwe Mthombeni (36), was convicted of assault.
On the night of 16 December 2023, the deceased was at his homestead when he was attacked by Ndlovu, Nkosingiphile and Nosipho, who were armed with a wooden stick, a golf stick, and a knife. They were later joined by Mthombeni. They attacked the deceased on the suspicion that he had taken a child who was missing from the community. The deceased sustained multiple injuries, including fractures, lacerations, stab wounds, and bruises. The child was later found somewhere else. The deceased was rushed to the hospital, and the accused were arrested. The deceased died a few weeks later.
In the state’s case, Prosecutor Mphakamiseni Mdlalose led eyewitness testimonies, and the evidence of the police officers who attended the scene. The postmortem report further bolstered the state’s case. Mr Mdlalose also handed in a Victim Impact Statement compiled by the deceased’s wife and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Victoria Griffiths. In her statement, the woman said that she relied on her husband and losing him has been painful. Ndlovu was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, Nkosingiphile was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for murder, Nosipho was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for murder, and Mthombeni was sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment for assault, which is wholly suspended for five years on condition that she is not convicted for assault or murder during the period of suspension. In sentencing them, the court took into consideration the role that each of them played in the offence.
The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter. We hope this outcome clarifies our stance that crime will not be tolerated. Community members are advised not to take the law into their own hands but rather contact the law enforcement authorities.
Issued by
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
KwaZulu-Natal Division
071 6700 229