LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR FEMICIDE
27 JUNE 2025
LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR FEMICIDE
The Vryheid Regional Court has sentenced Innocent Fanyane Dubazane (51) to life imprisonment for the murder of Nonsikelelo Nqobile Xaba (45) in February 2024 in the Mondlo area. The pair were in a relationship, but they had kept it a secret from their families.
On 08 February 2024, the deceased’s body was discovered in a ditch in the C section area of Mondlo. The body was covered with a duvet cover and shade netting. The deceased was fully clothed, but she did not have shoes on. It appeared that she was brutally assaulted with a blunt object. Since she was well-known in the area, she was easily identified by community members.
Initial police investigations established that she was last seen with Dubazane at his house. Dubazane was taken in for questioning and during this time he made admissions linking him to the murder. Following further investigations at Dubazane’s house, the deceased’s blood-stained shoes were found in a plastic bag in an outside toilet. Police also found drag marks on the ground at the back of the house. The drag marks were in the direction of where the deceased’s body was found. The duvet was from Dubazane’s homestead, and the shade netting found on the body belonged to Dubazane’s brother who shared the homestead with him.
Representing the state, Prosecutor Andre Symington led the evidence of witnesses who identified the shoes which were found at Dubazane’s house, as belonging to the deceased. A witness from Dubazane’s homestead identified the duvet that was used to drape the deceased’s body. The investigating officer and the arresting officer both testified as well Also, one of Dubazane’s relatives told the court that he has seen Dubazane and the deceased together prior to the incident. His wife who is now deceased, heard some commotion from the room, and had reported that to him.
In aggravation of sentence, Mr. Symington told the court that the abuse between partners is rife in South Africa. This was a brutal murder and Dubazane showed no remorse throughout the trial.
In sentencing him, the court found that he and the deceased were in a domestic relationship. The court also found that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the minimum sentence of life imprisonment. Dubazane was thus sentenced to life imprisonment, and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The NPA remains committed to our fight against gender-based violence and femicide. There is no place in our society for perpetrators of such cruelty. We will continue to prioritise these cases and ensure that justice is delivered swiftly and decisively.
Issued by:
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson
KZN Division
0716700229