The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has welcomed the 20-year prison sentence handed down to Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Constable Robert Ngobeni for the murder of his partner, Constance Phalane, in 2023. The South Gauteng High Court imposed 15 years for murder and 15 years for attempted murder, with 10 years of the attempted murder sentence running concurrently, resulting in an effective 20-year prison term.
The incident occurred on 21 September 2023 at around 13:00 in Lekaneng Section, Tembisa, at 469 Canary Street. Two EMPD constables went to collect Ngobeni from his home on their way to work. Upon arrival, they found the gate locked, and a neighbour told them he had heard gunshots the previous night from Ngobeni’s room. The officers scaled the fence and entered the premises, discovering bloodstains at the doorstep of Ngobeni’s room.
Inside, the officers found the body of Phalane lying on the bed with multiple gunshot wounds, a four-year-old child with a gunshot wound to the upper right shoulder, and Ngobeni lying on the floor in a pool of blood with his service firearm nearby. Emergency services were immediately summoned, and both the child and Ngobeni were transported to medical facilities for treatment. Ngobeni remained under police guard while receiving medical attention.
Investigations revealed a history of domestic violence between Ngobeni and Phalane, a factor considered during the court proceedings. IPID spokesperson Phalladi Shuping said the directorate welcomed the sentence, which sends a strong message about accountability and the consequences of domestic violence within law enforcement ranks.
The EMPD has been under scrutiny in recent months over multiple controversies, including allegations against suspended acting head Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi for illegally fitting blue lights on vehicles linked to alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Investigations have also revealed that thousands of EMPD officers have incomplete or missing criminal records, raising concerns about compliance and oversight within the force.
Domestic violence remains a critical issue in South Africa. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), more than 60,000 cases of intimate partner violence were reported in 2024 alone, with Gauteng recording the highest number of incidents nationally. Experts note that while law enforcement officers are tasked with upholding the law, incidents involving members of the police committing violent crimes have heightened public concern about the policing system.
The EMPD case illustrates the complex challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in monitoring internal misconduct while ensuring public safety. Court documents confirmed that the child victim was provided with immediate medical care and is recovering from the injuries sustained during the shooting.
The sentence against Ngobeni highlights the judiciary’s stance that officers are not above the law and that domestic violence and the use of firearms against family members will be met with strict legal consequences. IPID continues to investigate matters involving law enforcement officers and encourages members of the public to report any abuses of power.
The directorate reiterated that accountability within police services is crucial for public trust, particularly in metropolitan areas like Ekurhuleni where high crime rates place additional pressure on policing structures. The conviction of Ngobeni follows a pattern of IPID actively pursuing cases of misconduct and criminal activity involving police personnel, emphasizing that no individual within law enforcement is exempt from the law.
Constable Ngobeni will begin serving his 20-year sentence following the conclusion of any remaining procedural matters, marking a significant outcome in a case that drew national attention due to the involvement of a serving police officer and the severity of the crime.
