A 25-year-old man has been sentenced to 16 years’ direct imprisonment for murdering another man following a dispute over a cellphone in Josefa Village, Limpopo.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said Siphiwe Hlungwani was sentenced by the Thohoyandou High Court on Monday, 24 August 2026, after being convicted of murdering 40-year-old Jabulani Kabide.
The murder occurred on 15 February 2023 in the Saselamani policing area.
According to Ledwaba, Hlungwani had gone to the home of one of the deceased’s relatives, where he stole a cellphone.
The owner of the cellphone later went to Hlungwani’s family home to report the theft to his mother.
“Hlungwani became aggressive after learning about the incident and threatened to assault the cellphone owner,” said Ledwaba.
Kabide, who was the cellphone owner’s cousin, arrived at the scene and became involved in a heated argument with Hlungwani.
The confrontation escalated into a physical altercation before the cellphone owner returned to her home.
Ledwaba said Hlungwani’s mother later went to the woman’s residence and warned her to hide, saying her son had left the house armed with a knife and was looking for her.
Hlungwani subsequently arrived at the woman’s residence and searched for her , but could not find her because she had locked herself inside the house.
He then left the yard and encountered Kabide at the gate.
“Without uttering a word, the accused stabbed the victim with a knife. Kabide attempted to flee but collapsed in the yard,” said Ledwaba.
Police and emergency medical services were called to the scene, where Kabide was declared dead.
The murder case was assigned to Sergeant Xikombiso Samora Baloyi of the Saselamani Investigating Unit.
Ledwaba said Baloyi managed to trace and arrest Hlungwani just two days after the murder.
The investigating officer also successfully opposed bail, ensuring Hlungwani remained in custody while the matter proceeded through the courts.
Limpopo police provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers welcomed the sentence and praised Baloyi and everyone involved in securing the accused’s conviction.
“This sentence demonstrates that those who take the lives of others will be held accountable,” said Scheepers.
Ledwaba said the sentence demonstrated the police’s commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of serious crimes are brought to justice.
