DURBAN � The Mthunzini High Court has convicted and sentenced Siyabonga Sizwe Buthelezi (32) to life imprisonment for murder and six years for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The accused was sentenced on 23 April 2019 after the judge heard how he violently attacked and killed the victim last year.

On 2 February 2018 the victim Nompumelelo Mthembu (20) was at Nkunzana area in Nongoma with her boyfriend Siyabonga Buthelezi when they were involved in an argument. It is alleged that the accused violently attacked the victim by severely assaulting her after accusing her of cheating on him. The victim sustained serious injuries and a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was opened at Nongoma police station. The accused was arrested by police and was granted bail by the Nongoma Magistrates Court. While he was on bail, it is alleged that he attacked his girlfriend again, this time burning her to death at a local river.

On 1 May last year, the victim was at a local river at Nongoma when she was followed by the accused. The accused burnt her to death using a tyre and petrol. He then fled the area after the incident and moved to Mpumalanga province. A case of murder was opened at Nongoma police station for further investigation. Nongoma detectives activated their intelligence and the accused was traced at Mpumalanga province where he was arrested in July 2018. He was brought back to Nongoma to answer for his crimes.

Source: South African Police Service