By BAKANG MOKOTO
30 September 2026 – A man (42) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Scottburgh Regional Court for the murder of his partner (34) in the Mahlongwa area of Umkomaas. The evidence presented in court revealed that Sibusiso Philani Hlongwa and the deceased were living together when he murdered her in December 2024.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said on the evening of 25 December 2024, Hlongwa arrived home and asked the deceased to speak to him in an outbuilding. Ramkisson-Kara said she agreed and followed him.
“At approximately midnight, family members heard the deceased screaming inside the room. When they went to investigate, they found her bleeding profusely. She told them that Hlongwa had stabbed her before fleeing the scene.
“Paramedics were called, but the deceased was declared dead upon their arrival. The incident was reported to the police, who arrested Hlongwa the following day. During the trial, the state prosecutor Akhile Gcume led evidence from family members who found the deceased after the attack, the investigating officer and the doctor who examined her body,” she said.
Ramkisson-Kara further said the post-mortem report also formed part of the state’s case. She added that the Victim Impact Statements compiled by two family members and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Nokukhanya Mkhize were presented to the court.
“The family members described how the deceased’s death had negatively affected their lives and the trauma of witnessing her final moments. Combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide remained an organisational priority.
“Together with our partners in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, we will continue working to ensure that perpetrators of these offences are held accountable,” said Ramkisson-Kara.
She said in addition to the life sentence, Hlongwa was declared unfit to possess a firearm. Ramkisson-Kara said the NPA reiterated its commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide are held accountable for their actions.
