TWO LIFE TERMS FOR RAPE AND MURDER OF STEPDAUGHTER

17 November 2025

TWO LIFE TERMS FOR RAPE AND MURDER OF STEPDAUGHTER

Middelburg, Mpumalanga – The High Court of South Africa, Middelburg High Court, has sentenced Moses Simphiwe Mbuli (43) to two life terms for the rape and murder of his 14-year-old stepdaughter, Sisekelo Rasheeda Seyama, in Piet Retief. Mbuli pleaded guilty to the charges and was convicted of both rape and murder. Mbuli and the victim’s mother were in a domestic relationship and lived with the deceased. The incident occurred on 22 November 2024, in Piet Retief, Gert Sibande District. Seyama returned from school and found Mbuli alone at home. When she went to her room to change, he approached her and proposed sexual intercourse. After she refused, he forcibly penetrated her, assaulted her further, and throttled her before fleeing the scene, leaving her unconscious. Mbuli was arrested following a police investigation and denied bail.

In court, Mbuli admitted that his conduct was unlawful, intentional, and punishable, with no legal defence. He pleaded guilty under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, expressing remorse and stating that his actions were motivated by “lust and temptation.” State Advocate Kedibone Mthimkhulu highlighted the prevalence of such offences and noted that Mbuli’s plea was influenced by the overwhelming evidence against him, urging the court to impose appropriate sentences.

The court found no substantial or compelling reasons to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. Mbuli was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and life imprisonment for murder, with the sentences to run concurrently. The court also ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm and unsuitable to work with children.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence and reaffirms its commitment to confronting sexual violence and ensuring justice for victims, particularly the most vulnerable. The NPA will continue to prosecute such crimes vigorously, upholding constitutional rights to dignity and privacy. Ends.

Issued by:

Monica Nyuswa

NPA Regional Spokesperson

DPP Mpumalanga

Tel: 013 045 0625 / 076 485 5446

Email: mnyuswa@npa.gov.za