LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER OF ROMANTIC PARTNER IN KARIEGA

08 August 2025

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER OF ROMANTIC PARTNER IN KARIEGA

Gqeberha, Eastern Cape – The High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division, Gqeberha, has sentenced Luvuyo Leonard (47) to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his romantic partner, Ntombikayise Dayisi, on the evening of 16 August 2024 at KwaMashu Informal Settlement, Kariega (formerly Uitentenge). The couple, who lived together, had been drinking alcohol at home when an argument broke out. During the altercation, Leonard assaulted Dayisi with a plank before stabbing her several times with a knife.

The following morning, Leonard went to a neighbour and claimed that his girlfriend “wasn’t waking up.” The neighbour accompanied him to the shack, where they found Dayisi lying on the floor with visible injuries and blood splattered across the room. Upon learning of the incident, community members assaulted Leonard before alerting the police, who arrested him the same day.

Leonard pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Senior State Advocate Sivuyile McKay called five witnesses. Although there were no direct eyewitnesses, which made the trial challenging, the prosecution successfully proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Advocate McKay argued that the couple had been in a domestic relationship and that life imprisonment was prescribed by law for such cases. He emphasised that the crime occurred during Women’s Month, highlighting the persistent scourge of domestic violence in South Africa.

In sentencing, the Court found no compelling reason to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, citing the seriousness of the offence and the urgent need to combat gender-based violence. Leonard was sentenced to life imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm. Welcoming the outcome, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Barry Madolo, commended the prosecution team and SAPS for their diligence. “This sentence sends a strong message that acts of gender-based violence will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will be held fully accountable,” he said. The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting vulnerable members of society and will continue to prioritise the prosecution of gender-based violence cases to ensure that justice is served.

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