Boyfriend sentenced to life for girlfriend’s murder in Limpopo

The Polokwane High Court has sentenced Nhlanhla Gift Mathye [32] from Dennilton to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his 54-year-old girlfriend. The two had been in a romantic relationship for only two months.

On 24 September 2024, the deceased invited the boyfriend to accompany her on a visit to her AVBOB Funeral Insurance clients in the B90 farm area in the Sekhukhune district.

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They met at the Groblersdal Mall and drove together to the location. Due to poor road conditions, they left the vehicle and proceeded on foot.

During the walk, an argument broke out. The deceased allegedly threatened Mathye with a stone but then fled.

Enraged, he chased after her and struck her on the head with a stone, causing her to fall. While she lay on the ground, he continued to strike her head repeatedly with another stone until she was unresponsive and bleeding. Mathye then dragged her body to a nearby river and dumped it.

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After the murder, he took her Toyota Etios, handbag, and other valuables and drove to his home. The following day, he used her vehicle to travel to work. He was arrested on 26 September 2024 in Groblersdal after security personnel found him in possession of the deceased’s belongings. The man from Dennilton subsequently confessed to the murder. 

He was also sentenced to an additional 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances and 10 years for defeating the ends of justice. The sentences will run concurrently.

In aggravation of sentence, Court Preparation Officer Morongwe Moife presented a Victim Impact Statement from the deceased’s daughter.

She described the devastating impact of her mother’s death, stating that her mother had been the family’s sole provider. Left to care for her younger sister, they now struggle to afford necessities like food and electricity.