The Mpumalanga High court sentenced Josaya Ndlozi (51) to life imprisonment for murdering his girlfriend, Sophie Phumzile Malele, in February 2023.

The sentence was handed down this afternoon, September 3, and the accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

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Prior to her murder, Malele had applied for and was granted an interim protection order against her killer. At the time of the incident, Malele and Ndlozi were living together in Lydenburg. They also had three children together.

Since their relationship was volatile, the conditions of the protection order stipulated that Ndlozi was not allowed to assault, threaten or harass Malele.

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However, on the morning of February 8, 2023, while the children were at school, an argument broke out between the couple. It escalated and led to the Ndlozi stabbing Malele multiple times in the neck with a knife.

Malele dropped to the ground and upon realising she was not moving, Ndlozi informed one of his neighbours and the police. Malele was declared dead at the scene and Ndlozi was arrested.

In court, Ndlozi pleaded guilty to the crime and was subsequently convicted of premeditated murder. State Advocate Senzo Zindela asked the court to impose a suitable sentence. He stated the accused only pleaded guilty because of overwhelming evidence stacked against him and this was not a sign of remorse.

Before handing down the sentence, Acting Judge Manthata said the accused deprived the deceased of the constitutional right to life.

As a result, three minor children were left without a mother. He stated that gender-based violence and femicide continue to be a pandemic that is ravaging our communities. He found no reasons justifying deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) expressed satisfaction with the sentence, emphasising its unwavering commitment to prosecuting cases related to gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide.

 “This case serves as a stark reminder of the need to protect vulnerable individuals in society and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions,” said NPA regional spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa.