The High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division, sitting in Mthatha has handed down a life imprisonment sentence to Yibanathi MacGyver Ndema (45) for the murder of his wife.
The remains of Noluvuyo Nonkwelo (36) were discovered buried under a bathtub in their marital home at Zingqayi area in the district of Butterworth.
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In addition to the murder charge, Ndema was also sentenced to five years for acts with intent to defeat the course of justice.
The court further imposed a two-year suspended sentence on each of the three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. As part of the sentence, Ndema was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
During the sentencing, Judge Buyiswa Majiki expressed concern for the couple’s children, who were left traumatized by the murder of their mother by their own father, whom they had trusted and loved. The judge directed that the children continue to receive trauma counseling to help them cope with the aftermath of this tragic event.
Judge Majiki also noted that Ndema had been contacting the children telephonically while in custody, which raised further concerns about his behavior and potential impact on the victims.
The judge agreed with the prosecution that crimes of this nature are prevalent throughout the country and require punitive sentences to deter others.
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The case began on July 1, 2019, when Ndema murdered his wife. Just two days later, he reported her as a missing person to the police, despite knowing that this was not true.
This sentencing serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and accountability in cases of domestic violence. It also highlights the need for continued efforts to raise awareness about the prevalence of such crimes and to provide support for victims and their families.
