Man jailed for 30 years after girlfriend killed during row over cellphone

A man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after he fatally assaulted his girlfriend during an argument over a cellphone, the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court has ruled.

What happened

On 07 March 2025 Zakhele John Mbuli (40) and his girlfriend, Lindiwe Julia Maseko (25), were at Mbuli’s home in Nhlazatshe when a cellphone rang. Mbuli insisted Maseko answer the call in his presence. An argument followed and then a violent assault.

Details from the court

“During the assault, the accused repeatedly struck the deceased on the head and neck with a pick handle, causing fatal injuries,”

State Advocate Zilindile Phindiso told the court.

After realising Maseko was no longer breathing, Mbuli cleaned the blood from the floor and moved her body to another room. He later confessed to a neighbour and surrendered to police.

Guilty plea, mitigation and evidence

Mbuli pleaded guilty to murder during the trial. He expressed “disappointment and embarrassment” over his actions and apologised to the deceased’s family, the court heard.

In mitigation, defence counsel asked for leniency, pointing to the guilty plea, apology and voluntary surrender as signs of remorse. The prosecution presented a photo album showing the severe head and neck injuries and relied on a post-mortem report.

Victim impact and the court’s reasoning

A Victim Impact Statement prepared by the deceased’s mother and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nomfundo Mokoena described the family’s loss, stating that Maseko had been the family’s primary breadwinner and that her children suffered after her death; they had to leave their maternal grandparents’ home and move in with their father.

The court found Mbuli’s actions were driven by insecurity and anger and sentenced him to 30 years’ direct imprisonment. The judge also automatically declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

Response from the National Prosecuting Authority

The NPA welcomed the sentence. Its spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, said:

“This sentence demonstrates that our courts will impose substantial punishment for such brutal crimes.”

An investigation and trial led to conviction and sentencing based on the facts presented in the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court.