A Mpumalanga man who strangled a livestock farmer to death during a physical confrontation over a goat has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Mpumalanga High Court, sitting in Breyten, on Thursday.
John Bhutini Zwane, 42, was sentenced for the murder of Zenzile Rose Magubane and defeating the ends of justice.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said the sentence followed a plea and sentence agreement between Zwane and the State in terms of Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act.
In a statement, Nyuswa said Zwane and Magubane knew each other and lived in the same area in Piet Retief, under the uMkhondo Local Municipality.
The court heard that Zwane bought a goat from a man known as Mokoena on 2 May 2025, intending to use it in a cleansing ceremony.
The following day, he was informed that the goat belonged to Magubane.
A relative of Magubane later contacted Zwane and told him that she intended to collect the animal.
Zwane arranged to meet Magubane in an attempt to resolve the dispute and avoid a confrontation at his home.
However, an argument broke out during the meeting and escalated into a physical confrontation.
Zwane strangled Magubane to death.
After realising that she was no longer responding, Zwane attempted to conceal the murder by burying Magubane naked in a shallow grave and disposing of her clothing in a nearby forest.
Zwane later handed himself over to police and participated in a pointing-out process that assisted investigators.
The State successfully opposed his bail application, and he remained in custody until the matter was finalised.
During sentencing proceedings, the defence argued for a lesser sentence, citing Zwane’s status as a first-time offender, the fact that he had not used a weapon and his initial attempt to resolve the dispute over the goat.
However, Advocate Amos Mtshweni, appearing for the State, highlighted the devastating impact of the murder on Magubane’s family, particularly her children.
The State also argued that Zwane had deprived Magubane of her dignity by removing her clothing and burying her naked.
The prosecution further highlighted the murder’s broader context of gender-based violence.
The court sentenced Zwane to 20 years’ direct imprisonment for murder and five years for defeating the ends of justice.
The five-year sentence will run concurrently with the murder sentence, resulting in an effective 20-year prison term.
Zwane was also automatically declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Nyuswa said the sentence reaffirmed that perpetrators of serious violent crimes would be held accountable for their actions.
She further said the NPA remained committed to securing justice for victims and their families through effective, victim-centred prosecutions.
