Another gender-based violence perpetrator has been put behind bars after murdering his partner, Thabisile Happiness Ngcobo, in Amahlongwa, Umkomaas in 2024.

Sibusiso Philani Hlongwa (42) was handed a life imprisonment sentence by the Scottburgh Regional Court following his conviction for his 34-year-old partner’s murder.

Hlongwa and Ngcobo lived together in Amahlongwa.

Court reports indicate that on the evening of December 25, 2024, Hlongwa arrived home and asked Ngcobo to speak to him in an outbuilding. She agreed and followed him.

At midnight, family members heard Ngcobo screaming inside the room.

When they rushed over, they found her bleeding profusely. She was able to inform family members that Hlongwa stabbed her before he fled.

Paramedics arrived at the scene, and she was declared dead.

Hlongwa was arrested the following day.

During the trial, prosecutor Akhile Gcume led the evidence of the family members who found Ngcobo after the attack, as well as that of the investigating officer and the doctor who examined the body. The post-mortem report also formed part of the State’s case.

The State submitted victim impact statements compiled by two of Ngcobo’s family members and facilitated by court preparation officer Nokukhanya Mkhize.

In their statements, the family members described how their lives had changed for the worse following her death and the trauma of witnessing her final moments.

In addition to the life sentence, Hlongwa was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Umkomaas Saps commends Detective Sergeant Simphiwe Msawoni for his thorough investigation and exceptional commitment to justice.

The station also places on record that it remains committed to fighting gender-based violence and ensuring perpetrators face the full might of the law.

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