Scottburgh court jails murderer for life
Nokuphila Mbhele was shot dead by the father of her child.
Sbonelo Senzo Gumede (31) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court on October 22 for the murder of Nokuphila Mbhele, the mother of his child.
He shot Mbhele dead in Amandawe in March 2025.
Gumede also received 15 years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm and a further seven years for unlawful possession of ammunition.
The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of life imprisonment.
He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Gumede went to Mbhele’s cottage after she failed to answer his phone calls. On finding her there, he accused her of communicating with strangers on her cellphone.
He became angry and drew a firearm, causing Mbhele to scream. Her screams alerted neighbours, who warned Gumede not to do anything unlawful. Despite their intervention, he shot her several times in the upper body.
Gumede then turned the gun on himself and shot himself in the side of the head. He was taken to hospital, where he later recovered, and was subsequently charged.
NPA Regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said during sentencing proceedings, Prosecutor Thanusha Govender submitted the crime scene photo album, ballistic report, and post-mortem report as part of the States case.
She added that Govender also handed in a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Mbhele’s mother, Sthembile Mbhele.
In her statement, the mother told the court that her daughter had been the family’s breadwinner and provided financial support towards various household expenses. She further described the trauma the murder had caused the family.
Mbhele said she is happy that the case has ended because the family now has closure and can move on with life.
“I know that this will not bring back my daughter, but she will rest in peace. As a family, it feels like a big burden has been lifted off our shoulders. It has been draining going to court every month and having to see his face.”
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