Limpopo – The Musina Regional Court has today convicted and sentenced Humbulani Steven Nethengwe (40), from Tshivaloni village, to 25 years of direct imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend, Khethani Mudau.

The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm under Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

Nethengwe pleaded guilty to the charge. He also confirmed that he was in a romantic relationship and cohabiting with Mudau.

On the 15th of April 2024, he went to their homestead, where an argument ensued over alleged infidelity. During the confrontation, Nethengwe assaulted Mudau, chopped and then brutally killed her with an axe.

After the incident, Nethengwe fled the scene with the murder weapon (an axe) and only handed himself over to the police on 21 April 2024.

Initially, Nethengwe chose to represent himself, but later applied for Legal Aid due to the overwhelming evidence against him.

In aggravation of sentence, State Prosecutor Jan Krijt argued that the crime was heinous and warranted the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. He highlighted the trauma inflicted on Mudau’s two minor children, who witnessed the brutal killing of their mother. The State further emphasised the high prevalence of gender-based violence in the area, urging the court not to deviate from the minimum sentence.

Despite these submissions, the court imposed a sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence, saying it reflects the justice system’s strong stance against gender-based and domestic violence. “It sends a clear message that such acts of brutality will not be tolerated,” Krijt added.

Limpopo Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Ivy Thenga commended the prosecution team and all stakeholders involved in securing justice in this matter.