Eastern Cape man jailed for murder of girlfriend; NPA says sentence sends strong message against femicide

Nkosiyethu Sizeke, 36, has been sentenced by the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Mthatha after being found guilty of murdering his 22-year-old girlfriend, Alindiwe Nodlabi.

Sentence and charges

The court handed Sizeke life imprisonment for murder. He also received 30 years for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and 5 years for defeating the ends of justice.

How the killing unfolded

Trial evidence established that Sizeke and Nodlabi were in a domestic relationship and lived together in Marhewini Location in the Marhubeni area of Ngqeleni. Before his arrest on an unrelated matter, Sizeke had given Nodlabi an amount of R25,000 to keep on his behalf. After his release from custody he demanded the money back; when Nodlabi said the money was with her mother an argument followed and Sizeke assaulted her at their home.

The State said Sizeke, accompanied by two associates, went to Nodlabi’s family home to confront her mother and sister about the money. When the cash could not be produced, Nodlabi refused to return with Sizeke; he forcibly took her back to their shared home. On arrival, Sizeke shot Nodlabi in the head in the presence of his two associates. She died at the scene.

Removal of the body and other evidence

The court heard that Sizeke instructed his two associates to remove the body from the property. Community members later discovered the body. Subsequent investigations led to Sizeke’s arrest, and he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Two of Sizeke’s associates gave evidence for the State as Section 204 witnesses. They told the court the money at the centre of the dispute was proceeds of drug trafficking and described Sizeke as a feared, ruthless figure in the community.

Aggravating factors and remorse

Judge Mbulelo Jolwana described the removal and dumping of the body as an aggravating factor. The judge also highlighted the wider problem of femicide in South Africa, saying the scourge continues to escalate and that women and children are being abused and killed “for the flimsiest of reasons, as if their lives do not matter.”

“The very act of dumping the body of the deceased as though she were a piece of rubbish is a serious aggravating factor, in addition to the offence of defeating the ends of justice,” Jolwana said.

The court found that Sizeke showed no remorse and attempted during sentencing to revisit and deny responsibility despite the guilty verdict.

NPA reaction

Eastern Cape Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Samkelo Mtwana, welcomed the ruling.

“This sentence sends a strong message that perpetrators of violence against women will be held fully accountable for their actions.”

Investigation and testimony

Evidence led by the State included testimony that connected the dispute over R25,000 to drug-trafficking proceeds and placed Sizeke and his associates at the scene. The two associates testified under Section 204, and the court accepted the State’s account of events.

What remains clear from the trial record:

• Sizeke was convicted of murdering Alindiwe Nodlabi, 22.
• He received life imprisonment for murder, plus additional sentences for firearm possession and defeating the ends of justice.
• The NPA welcomed the sentence as a deterrent against violence toward women.