DUO SENTENCED TO LIFE AND 25 YEARS FOR DUNCAN VILLAGE MURDER OVER MISSING TAKKIES

06 August 2025

DUO SENTENCED TO LIFE AND 25 YEARS FOR DUNCAN VILLAGE MURDER OVER MISSING TAKKIES

East London, Eastern Cape – The East London Regional Court has sentenced two men for the brutal murder of 26-year-old Yolanda Ntonto, whose body was discovered dumped at a site in Southernwood in November 2022. The court sentenced Vuyo Rambo Mbulana (43) to life imprisonment and Asithandile Ntlanjeni (35) to 25 years imprisonment following their conviction on a charge of murder.

The offence occurred on 01 November 2022 in Duncan Village, East London. At the time, the deceased was a tenant living in a shack at the back of Mbulana’s yard. After Mbulana’s takkies went missing, a local child allegedly told him that Ntonto had taken the sneakers. That day, Mbulana and Ntlanjeni confronted Ntonto while he was walking with his girlfriend and asked him to return to the house to discuss the matter. Ntonto complied, while his girlfriend waited in his shack.

Inside the main house, an argument broke out. Ntlanjeni was the first to pull out a knife and stabbed the unarmed Ntonto three times. Mbulana then drew his knife and inflicted multiple stab wounds, 47 in total. After the murder, Mbulana obtained a vehicle under the false pretext of transporting a slaughtered cow. He and Ntlanjeni wrapped the body in plastic bags and a sheet, transported it, and dumped it in Southernwood. A patrolling traffic officer discovered the body the following morning, 02 November 2022. Ntonto remained unidentified in the state mortuary until his mother reported him missing. The case remained unsolved until 26 February 2023, when Mbulana voluntarily handed himself over to the police, telling his mother that he had been having disturbing dreams. Ntlanjeni was arrested on 29 August 2023.

Both accused pleaded not guilty. Mbulana admitted to the state's version of events but claimed he did not act alone. Ntlanjeni denied involvement altogether. However, witness testimony, including that of Mbulana’s girlfriend, who witnessed the attack, placed both men at the scene.

During sentencing, Acting Regional Court Prosecutor Sinovuyo Sotomela argued for a harsh sentence, citing the senseless brutality, callous disposal of the body, and the fact that the crime was committed in furtherance of a common purpose.

In sentencing Ntlanjeni to 25 years, the court considered that he was a first-time offender who committed his first offence later in life. However, the court found no grounds to deviate from a life sentence in Mbulana’s case, given his eight previous convictions. Both men were declared unfit to possess firearms. Welcoming the outcome, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Mr Barry Madolo commended the investigating officer and prosecution team for their diligence and commitment to ensuring justice was served.

The NPA remains steadfast in its mission to hold perpetrators of violent crime accountable.

Issued by:

Luxolo Tyali

Regional Spokesperson: Eastern Cape Division

National Prosecuting Authority

Tel: 047 501 2630

Email: ltyali@npa.gov.za

Enquiries: nmakupula@npa.gov.za