A Dundee man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder last September of his girlfriend who was stabbed in the chest with a screwdriver.

Mandla Petros Mthembu (55) heard his fate in the Dundee Regional Court last Thursday for the murder of Nokuthula Shabalala (38).

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence, saying it sends a strong message that violence against women will not be tolerated.

Mthembu pleaded guilty to the murder.

In his plea, Mthembu said he arrived home on September 29, 2025, and later argued with Shabalala, with whom he was in a relationship, about an incident from the previous night.

He said Shabalala became angry, went outside and returned with a stick, which she used to beat him. Mthembu said he took the stick from her before picking up a screwdriver and stabbing her in the chest.

According to his plea, Shabalala went to sleep in a separate bedroom without seeking medical attention. Mthembu said he left her in bed the following morning when he went to work.

When he returned, he found her still in bed and realised she was not breathing. He reported the matter to police and was arrested.

A post-mortem examination found that Shabalala died from a chest wound.

During sentencing, prosecutor Sbonelo Mncadi handed in a victim impact statement compiled by Shabalala’s mother and facilitated by court preparation officer Victoria Griffiths.

Shabalala’s mother said she had pleaded with her daughter several times to leave Mthembu, but she had returned to him.

She also said that, as an elderly and frail woman, she relied on her daughter’s care, which she could no longer receive.

‘Full force of the law’

NPA regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the sentence demonstrated the seriousness with which such cases are treated.

Mthembu was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The NPA said it remained committed to holding offenders accountable and pursuing justice for victims and their families.

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