3 x LIFE AND 14 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR FAMILY MURDERER
08 AUGUST 2025
3 x LIFE AND 14 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR FAMILY MURDERER
The Durban High Court (sitting in Scottburgh) has sentenced a 39-year-old man to three terms of life imprisonment and 14 years imprisonment for the murders and attempted murder of his family members in August 2023 in the Chatsworth area. His conviction and sentence also include firearm and ammunition-related charges.
The accused and the 39-year-old deceased were in a domestic relationship, and they had two minor children. However, at the time of the incident, the accused and the deceased were no longer in a relationship, and the deceased resided in Chatsworth with her parents. The accused resided in Greytown with the two children.
Before the incident, the accused and the deceased had argued about money issues. On 06 August 2023, he went to the deceased’s house to fetch the children (he had left them there two days prior, for a visit). He was armed with an unlicensed firearm.
As they argued further, the deceased’s mother (70 years old), who lived nearby, was also there. The accused then produced the firearm and shot both the deceased and her mother. Both women died at the scene. The minor child (belonging to the accused and the deceased) was also shot and critically injured. He was taken to the hospital for medical attention.
The accused fled the scene and was arrested in Johannesburg in February 2025. The accused was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition for an unrelated case emanating from February 2021.
In court Advocate Rakesh Singh led the testimonies of eyewitnesses as well as the police officials who attended the crime scene. Evidence regarding the February 2021 offence was also presented in court. In aggravation of sentence Adv. Singh handed in Victim Impact Statements (VIS) compiled by one of the deceased’s minor children; and the deceased’s sister. The VISs were facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Thandeka Nadi Mofokeng. In his statement, the child said that their life will never be the same without their mother. He said he is sad because it was their father who took their mother away from them. The deceased’s sister said that she is still traumatised by the incident and has flashbacks. She said that the children are struggling to cope with the loss of their mother, and their father, who was supposed to protect them, is the reason for their suffering.
The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for each of the two counts of murder, life imprisonment for the attempted murder of his minor child, and eight years imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm. Relating to the 2021 offence of unlawful possession of firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition he was sentenced to five years imprisonment and one year imprisonment, respectively. He will serve an effective sentence of life imprisonment, and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The NPA hopes this sentence clarifies our stance that crime will not be tolerated. This conviction underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring justice for victims of crime and their families. We commend the prosecution team and law enforcement for their relentless pursuit of justice, and we hope this outcome brings some closure to the family of the victims.
Issued by:
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson
KZN Division
0716700229