MULTIPLE LIFE AND 15 YEARS FOR MAN CONVICTED OF FAMILY’S MURDER
30 MAY 2025
MULTIPLE LIFE AND 15 YEARS FOR MAN CONVICTED OF FAMILY’S MURDER
The Ladysmith Regional Court has sentenced Michael Buthelezi (48) to four terms of life imprisonment and 15 years imprisonment following his conviction on four counts of murder, arson, and two counts of defeating the ends of justice. The offences all relate to the incidents that occurred in October 2023 in the Bethany area of Bergville. Buthelezi was a councillor for the Democratic Alliance (DA) party at the time.
On 29 October 2023, at around 2H00am, a fire broke out at the two-roomed dwelling where Buthelezi and his fiancée, Khombosile Khoza, resided with their three minor children, aged between two and 10 years old. The family was trapped in the house until the door was kicked down by one of the witnesses who first arrived at the scene. Khoza, as well as two of the children, aged two and eight years old, passed away in the fire. Buthelezi and the 10-year-old child walked out of the house; however, the child was put on palliative care, and she succumbed to her injuries later at the hospital. Buthelezi was placed under observation and treated for his injuries.
After the incident, Buthelezi misled the police by supplying them with false information about the incident on two separate occasions. Buthelezi’s statements were investigated and found to be false, thus resulting in his arrest.
In securing this conviction the state, represented by Prosecutor Shika Siverpersad led the evidence of 11 witnesses including the first people to arrive at the scene, medical personnel and the paramedics, as well as a relative who told the court that Buthelezi and Khoza shared a tumultuous relationship and that just two weeks before the incident he had threatened to kill her by burning her. In addition, Ms. Siverpersad handed in a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Khoza’s father and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Khulekani Professor Mthembu. In his statement, the man said that he and his family were hurt and traumatised by the incident. He said that the stress has adversely affected his health.
Buthelezi was sentenced to life imprisonment for each of the four counts of murder, five years' imprisonment for the arson and five years’ imprisonment for each of the two counts of defeating the administration of justice. He will serve an effective life imprisonment, and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter as it underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring justice for victims of gender-based violence and serious crimes. We commend the prosecution team and law enforcement for their relentless pursuit of justice, and we hope this outcome brings some comfort and closure to the families of the victims.
Issued by:
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson
KZN Division
071 6700 229