Court sentences Hluhluwe man to life imprisonment for girlfriend's murder

The Mtubatuba Regional Court has sentenced a 29-year-old man from Hluhluwe to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to brutally stabbing his girlfriend to death in April 2024. 

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Nkosinathi Mtshali quarrelled with his girlfriend, Sanele Buthelezi, in her homestead on April 23, 2024. After that, he threatened to kill her after she broke up with him.  

“Mtshali, who was armed with a knife, stabbed her multiple times in her chest and neck while she was in her room. He then left her there, bleeding, and went to the police, where he handed himself over,” explained the NPA’s KZN spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara. 

Additionally, Ramkisson-Kara said when Mtshali handed himself over to the police, he gave them the blood-stained knife he had used to stab Buthelezi.

In court, State prosecutor Phumlani Khoza handed in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) that was facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Sthembile Cebekhulu and compiled by one of Buthelezi’s brothers. In the statement, Buthelezi’s family said that they were devastated by the murder of their sister. 

“No apology tendered by Mtshali could ever make up for what he has done,” the family said. 

Furthermore, the Buthelezi family described Mtshali as disrespectful, stating that his actions disrespected their home and family.

The family said Mtshali had no right to set foot into their home and raise his hand against their sister. 

However, the Buthelezi family said Mtshali was sentenced accordingly. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

“The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter. We remain committed to our fight against the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide. We will continue to ensure that justice is delivered swiftly and decisively,” Ramkisson-Kara said.

nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za