NPA WELCOMES 30-YEAR SENTENCE FOR MAN WHO MURDERED HIS GIRLFRIEND

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the 30-year direct imprisonment sentence imposed by the Makhado Regional Court on Zwivhuya Ernest Ramaremela (24), of Madombidzha, for the murder of Vhatshilele Sikuba.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

During the trial, the court heard that on 14 February 2026, the accused and the deceased were at a tavern. The accused became angry after seeing his girlfriend make eye contact with another man. He went home, and the deceased followed him.

Once they arrived, the accused confronted her and fatally assaulted her.

After the incident, he left the scene and went to inform his grandmother and the deceased’s parents that he had killed her. The family went to the house and found her body. The matter was reported to the police, and the accused was arrested three days later after handing himself over.

In aggravation of sentence, State Prosecutor Fightwell Nevhulamba addressed the prevalence of gender-based violence, submitting that hardly a day passes without a media report of a woman being abused in the country. He informed the court that the accused had a previous conviction for assault in which the deceased was the victim. He also submitted that the deceased’s children had been left without a mother because of the accused’s actions. He argued that a harsh sentence was necessary to deter the accused and send a clear message to would-be offenders.

Welcoming the sentence, Limpopo Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Ivy Thenga said she stood firm against the abuse of women and children. She also commended Prosecutor Nevhulamba and the investigating officer, Constable Mawela of Tshilwavhusiku Police Station, for their work.

Issued by:

Mashudu Malabi

Regional Spokesperson – Limpopo Division