The Breyten High Court sentenced John Ntobeko Sibeko (37) to 20 years’ direct imprisonment on August 21 for the murder of his girlfriend, Priscilla Mndebele, a traditional healer. Sibeko pleaded guilty in terms of Section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.

NPA provincial spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said that in a plea statement read into the record by his legal representative, Sibeko admitted his conduct was unlawful and punishable by law.

Sibeko was charged with murder read with the provisions of Section 51(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, as the offence arose within the context of a domestic relationship.

Fatal altercation

According to the plea statement, on October 14, 2025, Mndebele was at Sibeko’s residence in Emzinoni in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality when he received a telephone call instructing him to report for duty at Sasol.

When he asked her about his access card, an argument ensued after she informed him that her ancestral spirits were against him going to work.

Nyuswa said the argument escalated into a physical altercation during which Sibeko took a wire and strangled Mndebele. He stated that when he realised she was losing strength, he became fearful and locked her inside the residence before informing members of her family about what he had done.

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She added that family members, assisted by neighbours, forced open the door and discovered Mndebele’s lifeless body lying on a bed.

The court accepted Sibeko’s guilty plea and convicted him as charged. During sentencing proceedings, state prosecutor Amos Mtshweni presented a post-mortem report confirming that the cause of death was strangulation.

Impact on family

The court considered a victim impact statement compiled by Mndebele’s mother and facilitated by court preparation officer Faith Masango. In the statement, the family described the emotional trauma and pain they continue to endure following Mndebele’s death. They portrayed her as a loving, caring and supportive family member whose loss has left an irreparable void in their lives.

In aggravation of sentence, the state emphasised the brutal nature of the offence and the serious breach of trust inherent in the crime.

The state argued that the deceased suffered a horrific and painful death at the hands of the person who was expected to love, protect and care for her.

The state further submitted that offences of this nature continue to devastate families and communities, highlighting the urgent need for sentences that deter gender-based violence and protect vulnerable victims.

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Mtshweni urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence that reflected the seriousness of the offence, served as a deterrent to would-be offenders, and sent a clear message that violence against women would not be tolerated.

Nyuswa said that in considering sentence, the court found that substantial and compelling circumstances existed to justify a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence. The court took into account that Sibeko had pleaded guilty, saving court time, was a first-time offender, and had demonstrated remorse for his actions.