KZN man jailed for life after strangling ex-girlfriend on walk home

The Mtubatuba Regional Court has sentenced Kwazi Sithole, 25, to life imprisonment for the July 2025 murder of his former partner in the Hluhluwe area of northern KwaZulu-Natal.

What happened

The fatal encounter took place on the evening of 26 July 2025. The deceased and a friend were walking together when they unexpectedly came across Sithole. The victim fled with her friend, but Sithole chased them, tripped the woman to the ground and strangled her.

When the friend tried to intervene, Sithole shoved her away, forcing the friend to run and seek help.

Discovery and arrest

The friend returned with a group of people but found that both the victim and Sithole had disappeared. The group then spotted Sithole emerging from a nearby thicket. When confronted, he hurled insults and walked off.

Moments later, searchers found the victim’s body hidden in the bushy area Sithole had just exited. Police arrested him at his home shortly after witnesses reported the crime.

State case and impact

Prosecutor Phumlani Thembalethu Khoza presented the state’s case using testimony from the friend who witnessed the attack, the attending officer and the lead detective.

The court also received a victim impact statement from the deceased’s mother, facilitated by court preparation officer Mandisa Paulette Sikakane.

“The loss of my daughter has left our family with overwhelming emotional pain and deep trauma,”

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the NPA would continue to pursue justice.

“The NPA will continue to pursue justice without fear, favour or prejudice to safeguard the rights and dignity of victims and their families.”

Case significance

The sentence was imposed by the Mtubatuba Regional Court following the July 2025 killing in Hluhluwe.