An Eastern Cape man, Sandiso Matyida, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend, Sinazo Khanzi, whose body was discovered beheaded in January 2023.
The Eastern Cape High Court, sitting in Cacadu, heard that the couple lived together at Beseti Farm in the Gwatyu area near Cofimvaba.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, Matyida approached his cousin on the night of the murder and asked to spend the night at his home.
When his cousin asked about Khanzi's whereabouts, Matyida reportedly made a gesture indicating that her throat had been cut.
He later confirmed that he had killed her.
The cousin went to Matyida's home on the same farm, where he discovered Khanzi's body covered with a blanket and her head severed. He alerted Matyida's father before contacting the police.
Matyida was arrested later that evening while sleeping in the same house. He also pointed out the bloodied axe allegedly used in the murder.
During court proceedings, Matyida pleaded guilty and admitted to killing Khanzi after checking her cellphone and discovering that she had been communicating with another man.
In his plea explanation, he claimed that he acted out of rage following a confrontation that escalated into an argument.
The court found that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Samkelo Mtwana welcomed the sentence, saying it sends a strong message that perpetrators of violence against women will be held accountable.
The NPA reaffirmed its commitment to securing justice for victims of gender-based violence and femicide and supporting efforts to eradicate these crimes in communities.