Life and 15 Years for Attack on Women

11 APRIL 2025

Life and 15 Years for Attack on Women

The Mtubatuba Regional Court has sentenced Siqiniseko Ndlovu to life and 15 years imprisonment for the two counts of attempted murder he committed in September 2024 in the Nkundisi area. The complainants, Zandile Nhleko and Kholiwe Ngema, are two adult females who are related to each other. Nhleko shares a child with Ndlovu. On 06 September 2024, Nhleko and Ngema were together when Ndlovu approached them, asking them to have drinks with him at a nearby tavern. The women were reluctant; however, he forced them, and they eventually gave in to him.

After they had consumed a few drinks, Nhleko mentioned that she wanted to leave as her children would be returning from school, and she wanted to cook for them. The women left Ndlovu and parted ways to their respective homesteads. Ngema then realised that Ndlovu was following her. He asked her why she was meddling in the issues between him and Nhleko. Ngema told him that she was aware that he was abusive towards Nhleko, and that he could go to jail for assaulting a woman. Ndlovu (who worked in the sugarcane fields and carried a bush knife for his work), removed the bush knife from his bag and began hacking Ngema with it.

By this time, Nhleko was in the company of her children, and she saw what Ndlovu was doing to Ngema. She shouted for help, and then Ndlovu moved towards her and began hacking her too. He hacked off part of her left arm, which fell to the floor. Ndlovu left the two women lying unconscious on the ground and fled the scene. He was subsequently arrested.

The state, represented by Prosecutor Phumlani Thembalethu Khoza, presented evidence of the J88 medical reports. In addition, Khoza handed in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Sthembile Cebekhulu and compiled by Nhleko. Nhleko said that the children who were with her during the incident were traumatised and fearful. She further mentioned that her hand had to be amputated due to the injuries she sustained. Ndlovu was sentenced accordingly, and the court declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

Together with our partners in the justice cluster, the NPA remains steadfast in our fight against gender-based violence. We encourage members of the community to speak out against gender-based violence.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson
KZN Division
071 6700 229