WOMAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR THE PREMEDITATED MURDER OF HER PARTNER
05 FEBRUARY 2026
WOMAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR THE PREMEDITATED MURDER OF HER PARTNER
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of life imprisonment handed down by the Springs Magistrates’ Court to Nonsumbuluko Majola (39) from Springs. This is after she was convicted of premeditated murder of her partner Mojalefa Sefali (39). The court declared her unfit to possess a firearm.
On 13 June 2024, during the day, Majola and her male accomplice visited the deceased's place of residence in Springs. On arrival, Majola and her accomplice sat with the deceased and began to drink alcohol. When the deceased was drunk, Majola requested her accomplice to hold down the deceased, and she began to stab him with a scissor and a kitchen knife all over his body. Thereafter, the pair left the scene, leaving the deceased to succumb to his injuries. Later that day, concerned community members went to the deceased’s residence after noticing his absence and discovered his body. The matter was reported to the police. During the investigation, the neighbour informed police that Majola and her accomplice had been seen at the deceased’s residence on the day of the incident. Majola was arrested on 29 June 2024 at her home.
In court, Majola pleaded guilty, stating that she acted out of jealousy after discovering that the deceased had another girlfriend and claimed that she did not want to lose him. During sentencing proceedings, her legal representative requested the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, citing that Majola was a first-time offender, a mother of two children, and that she had shown remorse by pleading guilty. However, State Prosecutor Salesah Phahlamohlaka argued that the offence was extremely serious and prevalent within the court’s jurisdiction. She submitted that Majola had robbed the deceased of his right to life and deprived his family of a loved one. The State further argued that being a first-time offender did not absolve Majola from facing the full consequences of the law and that the court had a duty to protect society by imposing the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
In delivering the sentence, the Magistrate agreed with the State’s submissions and found that Majola was not genuinely remorseful. The court noted that the offence formed part of the broader context of South Africa’s high levels of murder, gender-based violence, and violent crime. The Magistrate stated that the crime was driven by jealousy and anger and that Majola’s guilty plea did not diminish the seriousness or brutality of the offence. The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence and accordingly imposed life imprisonment.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, Advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, commended Prosecutor Phahlamohlaka and Warrant Officer Albert Van Wyk of the Springs Police Station for their work on the case. She expressed hope that the sentence would bring a measure of closure and comfort to the deceased’s family, knowing that justice had been served. The NPA reiterates its commitment to upholding the constitutional right to life and ensuring that all citizens can live safely and peacefully in their homes and communities.
Issued by:
Lumka Mahanjana
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Gauteng Division: Pretoria
073 002 0000