SIPHELELE NKETO

A MAN (40) who brutally murdered his girlfriend with an axe was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Maloti Regional Court in the Eastern Cape.

Mboneleli Ntantiso fatally attacked his girlfriend with an axe at her home in May last year. He also left the victim’s family injured and disappeared. But after a manhunt launched, he was arrested within a week.

His case was initially enrolled at the Matatiele Magistrate’s Court, and later moved to Maloti Regional Court where he was found guilty on all charges on March 20.

The court sentenced him on March 26 to life imprisonment for murder, an effective 45 years for three counts of attempted murder, and 10 years for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. 

“The SAPS reiterates its commitment to removing violent criminals from our communities and ensuring that perpetrators of gender-based violence face the full might of the law,” police spokesperson Nobuntu Gantana said.