Stanley Madikane cut off his wife’s head in what the police described as muthi murder, in February, last year.
He was noticed by his 15-year-old son who then snuck out of the house and notified the neighbours.
When police arrived on the scene shortly after midnight, they found his wife’s head in the bathroom and her body in the bedroom.
Madikane had stabbed his her to death before using an axe and a saw to remove her head.
Putfontein police investigating officer Moswarisheng Makofane said Madikane told the court that he was acting on instructions from the voices in his head at the time.
But the court dismissed his story.
Madikane had already dug a shallow grave in his backyard, where he was intending to bury the body.
Ekurhuleni mayor Mondli Gungubele described the crime as ”barbaric” and called for harsh action against Madikane.
