A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his aunt during a family altercation in Madadeni, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his 56-year-old aunt, whom he stabbed three times during an altercation at their family home in Madadeni, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Mncedisi Mngoma was sentenced by the Madadeni Regional Court following his conviction for the murder, which took place on July 26, 2025.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said evidence presented in court revealed that Mngoma had told family members earlier that day that he was going to “show them something big”.
According to the NPA, at about 9pm, Mngoma began damaging items in the kitchen and throwing food out of pots. He also threatened family members and chased one of them out of the house.
A family friend from a neighbouring home was called to intervene and calm the situation, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
The NPA said Mngoma later approached his aunt, who was standing outside the family home, and a verbal confrontation broke out.
“He stabbed her three times in the back and chest,” the NPA said.
Mngoma attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by community members, who contacted the police.
During the trial, prosecutor Marion Willis-Smith presented evidence from an eyewitness and the deceased’s children. The State also relied on the post-mortem report.
In aggravation of sentence, the State submitted a Victim Impact Statement compiled by a family member and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nokukhanya Alice Cele.
According to the NPA, the statement detailed the emotional and psychological devastation suffered by the family, including ongoing trauma, anxiety and fear following the murder.
The court sentenced Mngoma to life imprisonment and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
NPA regional spokesperson for KwaZulu-Natal Natasha Ramkisson-Kara welcomed the sentence, saying femicide and gender-based violence continued to devastate families and communities.
“This sentence demonstrates that those who perpetrate violence against women will be held accountable through the law,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
She said combating gender-based violence and femicide remained an organisational priority for the NPA, which would continue working with its partners in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster to pursue evidence-led prosecutions and seek justice for victims and their families.