NPA SECURES LIFE SENTENCE FOR WOMAN WHO MURDERED HER PARTNER

MBOMBELA, MPUMALANGA – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the life sentence imposed by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Mbombela on 26-year-old Lindokuhle Peggy Shongwe for the murder of her partner, Comefriday Silindile Mkhonza (30), in Badplaas. The sentence underscores the NPA’s commitment to holding perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) accountable and securing justice for victims and their families.

Shongwe and Mkhonza were in a domestic relationship. The murder occurred on 21 June 2025, when Shongwe and Mkhonza became involved in a heated argument in a room at Mkhonza’s residence in Badplaas. During the argument, Shongwe stabbed Mkhonza three times in the upper body with a knife. Mkhonza’s nephew, who overheard the argument, left the premises. He later received a call from Shongwe, using Mkhonza’s cellphone, informing him that his uncle had stabbed himself.

When the nephew returned home, he found Mkhonza lying in a pool of blood but still responsive. Mkhonza was subsequently transported to a local clinic, where he was certified dead. Shongwe fled the scene and was later arrested. During the trial, Shongwe pleaded not guilty and claimed that she did not know how Mkhonza sustained the stab wounds, alleging that they had been struggling over a knife.

However, State Advocate Senzo Zindela presented evidence that contradicted her version, including medical evidence from the doctor who examined Mkhonza’s body. The doctor testified that the depth of the wounds indicated that they could not have been self-inflicted. The court accepted the State’s evidence and rejected Shongwe’s version of events as false. In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Zindela argued that Shongwe had shown no remorse and highlighted the serious nature of the crime, including the fact that Mkhonza sustained three stab wounds.

The State also presented a Victim Impact Statement, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nomfundo Mokoena and compiled by Mkhonza’s mother. The statement detailed the profound emotional, psychological and financial impact that the murder had on the family. The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances warranting a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence and sentenced Shongwe to life imprisonment for murder. She was also declared unfit to possess a firearm, and her application for leave to appeal was dismissed. 

The NPA welcomes the life sentence as an appropriate measure of accountability for the unlawful taking of a life within an intimate relationship.

The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide through the effective prosecution of offenders. Violence within intimate and domestic relationships has devastating consequences for victims, families and communities, and perpetrators must be held accountable through the criminal justice system.

Victims and survivors of domestic violence are encouraged to report incidents to law enforcement authorities and seek assistance from available support services. Reporting such crimes can facilitate intervention, strengthen the protection of victims and enable law enforcement authorities to take the necessary action.

Issued by:

Monica Nyuswa

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Director of Public Prosecutions: Mpumalanga