A 36-year-old man from Zwelitsha Trust in Mpumalanga has been sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for murdering his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend in a violent love-triangle altercation .
Thapelo Sduma Mathonsi was sentenced by the local magistrate’s court following his conviction for the murder of Sifiso Sibonelo Nhlengethwa and housebreaking with intent to assault.
According to Mpumalanga NPA spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, the offences stemmed from a violent incident on 8 September 2024 at Zwelitsha Trust.
Mathonsi had previously been in a romantic relationship with a woman only named Sithole, with whom he shares a child. Sithole was also the complainant in the housebreaking and assault case.
Nyuswa said Sithole and Mathonsi had arranged for their child to stay with Mathonsi at his parental home while she was at work.
After work that day, Sithole went to Mathonsi’s home to deliver items she had bought for their child. Mathonsi and the child later accompanied her part of the way back to her nearby rental room.
Between 8pm and 9pm, Nhlengethwa, who was Sithole’s boyfriend, arrived at her room to visit her.
Mathonsi arrived shortly afterwards and aggressively knocked on the door, saying he knew Sithole was not alone and demanding that she open it.
When she refused, Mathonsi allegedly forced his way into the room by breaking down the door and burglar guard.
Once inside, he assaulted Sithole and Nhlengethwa.
Sithole managed to escape and ran to her female landlord’s home while screaming for help. Concerned for her safety, the landlord advised her to spend the night in her room.
Nyuswa said Sithole returned to her rental room the following morning and immediately reported the incident to police.
During the investigation, police discovered Nhlengethwa’s body at the scene. He was later identified as the man who had been assaulted by Mathonsi the previous night.
Mathonsi was arrested and pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
He denied breaking into the room or assaulting Sithole and Nhlengethwa, claiming that Sithole had voluntarily allowed him inside.
State prosecutor John Mahlwele led evidence from Sithole and her landlord, whose testimony corroborated the events of the night.
The State also presented post-mortem evidence and evidence establishing the chain of custody of Nhlengethwa’s body.
Nyuswa said the court rejected Mathonsi’s version and found that the State had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Mathonsi was convicted of murder, read with Section 51(2) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, and housebreaking with intent to assault.
During sentencing, the State argued that Mathonsi’s actions were motivated by jealousy and that both Nhlengethwa and Sithole became victims of his violent conduct.
The prosecution also highlighted the seriousness and prevalence of violent crimes committed within domestic and interpersonal relationships.
The court sentenced Mathonsi to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for murder and two years for housebreaking with intent to assault.
The two-year sentence was ordered to run concurrently with the 15-year murder sentence.
Mathonsi was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Nyuswa commended prosecutor Mahlwele and the investigating team for their dedication and professionalism in securing the conviction.
She said the outcome demonstrated the importance of cooperation between prosecutors and law enforcement in securing justice for victims and their families.
Nyuswa said the NPA remained committed to combating violent crime, particularly offences arising from domestic and interpersonal relationships, and would continue working with law enforcement and other stakeholders to ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
