30 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF EX GIRLFRIEND

14 NOVEMBER 2025

30 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF EX GIRLFRIEND

The Mtubatuba Regional Court has sentenced Blessing Paya Mokoena (37) to 30 years imprisonment for the attempted murder of a 37-year-old woman in Hluhluwe in August 2025. Mokena was the complainant’s ex-boyfriend, and on 30 August 2025, the complainant was at a hair salon when he accosted her. In the presence of other people, he stabbed her 15 times on her back and chest, before fleeing the scene. The complainant was taken to a hospital, and Mokoena was later arrested at his homestead.

In court, Mokoena pleaded guilty, and in aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Phumlani Thembalethu Khoza handed in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by the complainant and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Sithembile Cebekhulu. In her statement, the complainant said that the attack had left her fearful of men. She said that it had been Mokoena who had initially broken off their relationship, even though she had asked him to stay with her. Thereafter, he wanted to reconcile with her, and although she refused him, he didn’t seem angry about it. She was therefore surprised when he attacked her on the day.

In sentencing Mokoena to 30 years imprisonment, the court deviated from the minimum sentence of life imprisonment. In doing so, the court considered his guilty plea as a sign of remorse and thus a substantial and compelling reason for the deviation. He was sentenced accordingly and was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The NPA hopes that sentences of this nature have the desired deterrent effect on would-be offenders.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KZN Division

0716700229