By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
24 August 2026 – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured a life imprisonment sentence in the Pretoria High Court against Retshidisotswe Khumisi (27) of Khutsong for the premeditated murder of his girlfriend, Ntsoaki Annah Hobson. The NPA said the sentence reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes against women are held accountable.
The NPA regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said during the early hours of 2 March 2025, an argument broke out between Khumisi and Hobson. Mahanjana said during the altercation, Khumisi repeatedly stabbed the deceased in the neck before fleeing the scene.
“Later that day, he handed himself over to the police. He has remained in custody since his arrest after the NPA successfully opposed his bail application. Khumisi pleaded not guilty to the charge and denied committing the offence.
“However, the state prosecutor Advocate Michael Shivuri presented compelling evidence that proved his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, resulting in his conviction for premeditated murder. During sentencing proceedings, Khumisi requested the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
“He submitted that although he had a previous conviction for possession of suspected stolen property, he should be regarded as a first-time offender in respect of violent crimes. He further relied on his personal circumstances, including having three minor children who depend on him, the period he had already spent in custody and his consumption of alcohol before the commission of the offence,” she said.
Shivuri argued that the accused had been convicted of a serious offence that remains prevalent in South Africa and that he had shown no remorse for his actions. He further submitted that Khumisi had abused a position of trust as the deceased’s partner and the father of one of her children.
“The devastating impact of the crime on the deceased’s family, noting that the accused had robbed the children of their mother and through his imprisonment, deprived them of their father’s presence. The offence had caused lasting psychological harm to the deceased’s mother.
“We have also placed before the court a Victim Impact Statement facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Kgomotso Lodi. In the statement, the deceased’s mother described how the loss of her daughter had profoundly affected her life and explained that she had never been the same since discovering her daughter’s lifeless body,” he said.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Jacobus Johannes Strijdom agreed with the state that the accused had shown no remorse and that the offence was extremely serious. Strijdom said the court noted that violent crime in South Africa has reached alarming levels and that those who commit such offences must face the full consequences of the law.
“The court further found that the deceased’s death had a devastating impact on her family and recognised that her life had significant value. We observed that the offence was committed in the family’s home, a place where the deceased was entitled to feel safe with her children.
“Instead, the accused violated that trust and subjected her to fatal violence. Accordingly, the court found that no substantial and compelling circumstances existed to justify a lesser sentence and imposed the prescribed sentence of life imprisonment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mahanjana said the NPA welcomes the sentence and believes it sends a strong message that GBV and crimes committed against women and children will not be tolerated. She added that the authority remains committed to prosecuting such offences without fear, favour, or prejudice and to securing justice for victims and their families.
The Guardian 