Rita Odafe
A 30-year-old South African man, Mxolisi Mvula, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his 21-year-old girlfriend, Ntombikayise Phindile Nkhize.
The sentencing was announced by Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson, KZN Division. Mvula brutally killed Nkhize by repeatedly bashing her head into a brick wall.
Mvula and Nkhize were in a domestic relationship, and the tragic incident occurred in December 2022 in the Lindelani area of Ntuzuma. During an argument with a mutual friend present, Mvula lured Nkhize outside and viciously assaulted her by smashing her head into a brick wall until she lost consciousness and subsequently passed away.
Their friend witnessed the entire horrific incident but was threatened by Mvula not to intervene, who then fled the scene but was later apprehended in the Bergville area.
During the court proceedings, a Victim Impact Statement provided by the deceased’s mother revealed the devastating impact of Nkhize’s senseless murder stating, “The passing of my daughter was horrific, it is something I will never forget. It broke me and no one will ever take her place in my heart. The accused and the deceased never had a healthy relationship. It was toxic. They were always fighting.”
Mvula was handed a life sentence for the murder and was automatically prohibited from possessing a firearm. Natasha Ramkisson-Kara commended the collaboration between the police and prosecution in ensuring justice and highlighted the importance of such prosecutions in creating safer communities as called for by the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030.
