Man who joined search for missing girlfriend jailed for her murder
Nelson Mattuse was convicted of murdering his girlfriend, 30-year-old Nomakhephi Thoma, along with kidnapping, violating a corpse and two counts of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft.
A 38-year-old man who pretended to help search for his missing girlfriend has been sentenced to life imprisonment for her murder by the Potchefstroom Regional Court.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lindiwe Mabasa said Nelson Mattuse was convicted of murdering his girlfriend, 30-year-old Nomakhephi Thoma, along with kidnapping, violating a corpse and two counts of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft.
According to evidence presented in court, Mattuse asked Thoma to accompany him to collect money on February 20, 2024. She never returned home. When questioned by her family, he initially claimed she had gone to visit a friend before changing his version and alleging she had gone to see a new boyfriend.
Mabasa said Thoma’s sister reported her missing to the Ikageng Police Station after becoming suspicious of Mattuse’s conflicting explanations. Although he appeared to assist the family and police during the search, he later fled while at the police station for questioning.
He was arrested on March 16, 2024 by an investigation team led by Colonel Blignaut.
“Upon his arrest, the accused was found in possession of a hand-drawn map that led investigators to the location where the deceased’s remains were discovered,” Mabasa said.
During sentencing, State Prosecutor Hester Pretorius argued that Mattuse had abused a relationship built on trust and that the murder was a brutal act of gender-based violence. The court agreed there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence and imposed life imprisonment for murder, along with 10 years each for kidnapping and violating a corpse, five years for one count of housebreaking and theft, and six years for a second count. The additional sentences will run concurrently.
“The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable,” Mabasa said, adding that the authority will continue to prioritise support for victims and their families through dedicated prosecution teams and victim-centred interventions.
