DURBAN – The Pietermaritzburg High Court has today sentenced Nkosiyezwe David Gwala (43) to two terms of life imprisonment for murder and rape of an elderly woman. His sentence came after the court heard how he killed the woman in Inchanga.
On 14 December 2019 at 11:00, Thandi Magwaza (62) left her home at KaDenge area in Inchanga and did not return home. A missing persons docket was opened at Inchanga SAPS by her family for investigation and a search was conducted. On 16 December 2019, her lifeless body with no visible injuries was found in the bushes by the members of the community and the police. An inquest docket was opened for investigation. A post-mortem was conducted and revealed that the victim was raped and strangled to death. The inquest docket was changed to charges of murder and rape. The docket was assigned to a dedicated investigating officer who investigated the matter further.
The investigation led the investigating officer to the deceased’s neighbour Nkosiyezwe Gwala who was placed under arrest on 22 December 2019. He made several court appearances and bail was denied at court. He was kept behind bars until he was sentenced.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula praised the investigating officer. “This is evident that a well prepared docket was presented at court to secure a successful sentence,” he said.

Source: South African Police Service