Convicted hitman jailed for 30 years after admitting role in murder allegedly plotted by victim’s wife

A convicted hitman already on parole has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to the November killing of Sibusiso Goqwana, a case prosecutors say was allegedly orchestrated by the victim’s wife.

Sentence handed down in Port St Johns

Mongi Mvengenya appeared in the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, sitting in Port St Johns, where the sentence was imposed after he pleaded guilty to his role in the murder, which the court heard was committed on 19 November 2025.

Parole and prior conviction

At the time of the offence, Mvengenya was on parole following a conviction for another murder committed in 2006.

Allegations against the victim’s wife

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tiyali said the killing was allegedly masterminded by the deceased’s wife, Nompumelelo Goqwana, who has pleaded not guilty.

“Her trial is scheduled to resume on 15 March 2027. The state intends to present evidence from, among others, a witness testifying in terms of section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act and the convicted hitman.”

What court heard about the shooting

The court heard that on the evening of the murder, Sibusiso, his wife and their three children were praying inside their home at Siphaqeni Location in Flagstaff when an armed intruder entered. According to Tiyali, the intruder ordered everyone to lie down and accused Sibusiso of having a romantic relationship with his brother’s wife, then shot Goqwana three times before fleeing the scene.

Evidence and investigation

Tiyali said police investigations, assisted by investigators representing life insurance companies, led to the confiscation of the widow’s cellphone. A contact number on the phone had allegedly been saved as “Nkabi yam”, which Tiyali said is colloquially understood to mean “my hitman.”

Billing records from the relevant network service provider allegedly linked that number to Mvengenya and showed frequent communication between him and the widow before and after the murder. Tiyali added that Mvengenya was traced and found in possession of a firearm that was forensically linked to cartridge cases recovered from the crime scene.

Investigations also led to the arrest of the widow and the identification of an alleged intermediary. Tiyali said the intermediary, who was initially indicted as an accused, is expected to testify for the state in terms of section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

Prosecution response

Advocate Samkelo Mtwana, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape, welcomed the sentence and commended cooperation between the police and the life insurance investigators. He said their collaborative efforts contributed significantly to the arrest and prosecution of those allegedly involved in the crime, which left three children without their father.

The NPA said it remains committed to pursuing justice for victims and their families and to ensuring that those convicted of serious crimes face appropriate consequences under the law.