15 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDERER

14 SEPTEMBER 2025

15 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDERER

The Mtubatuba Regional Court has sentenced Khulekani Mandla Ngubane (48) to 15 years' direct imprisonment for the murder he committed in December 2024 in the Qakwini area. Ngubane was sentenced to murder in terms of Section 51(2), where the prescribed minimum sentence is 15 years imprisonment, and in sentencing him, there was no deviation by the court.

Ngubane, a traditional healer, was told by his wife that she was sexually assaulted by the deceased, Thandazani Babo Mngomezulu (29), at a local shop. Ngubane then drove to Mngomezulu’s family home and forced him (Mngomezulu) into his motor vehicle, driving him to his house (Ngubane’s house). There, he tied Mngomezulu with a rope (tying his hands and tying his feet together) and hung him upside down from a tree. Ngubane then repeatedly assaulted him with a sjambok all over his head and body. When he stopped moving, Ngubane untied him and he fell to the floor. Ngubane’s family members then pleaded with him to take Mngomezulu to the hospital. Mngomezulu stayed in the hospital for five weeks before succumbing to the injuries he sustained. Ngubane was arrested thereafter.

In court, the Prosecutor Sphelele Precious Mdluli led the testimony of Mngomezulu’s sister who witnessed him being assaulted while hanging from the tree. In furtherance of the state’s case, Ms. Mdluli handed in a Victim Impact Statement which was compiled by one of Mngomezulu’s relatives and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Sthembile Cebekhulu. In his statement, the man said Mngomezulu’s death impacted the community at large. He said that he still has nightmares of the images of Mngomezulu’s body following the assault. He further stated that Mngomezulu was a good and responsible father, and his children have been deprived of the opportunity to be raised by him. Ngubane was sentenced accordingly, and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the conviction and sentence. The NPA remains resolute in our pursuit of justice for the victims of crime and their families.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KZN Division

071 6700 229