Pinetown man sentenced to 24 years after partner found dead by their child

A 50-year-old man received an effective 24 years’ direct imprisonment at the Pinetown Regional Court after being convicted of murdering his partner, whose body was discovered by their child, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said.

How the body was found

According to NPA KwaZulu‑Natal regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson‑Kara, the child entered the couple’s room in the Dassenhoek area of Marianhill and found his mother lying lifeless on the floor while the father was asleep on the bed. The child alerted neighbours and the accused’s brother, who went to the scene and woke the accused. They attempted to resuscitate the woman and paramedics were called, but she could not be revived.

Court evidence and arrest

Ramkisson‑Kara said evidence presented in court showed that the deceased had approached a neighbour shortly before the killing to say she was being assaulted. When neighbours tried to intervene, the accused allegedly told them to mind their own business and closed the bedroom door. No one was seen entering or exiting the room until the child discovered the body. The accused was arrested at the scene shortly afterwards.

With no direct eyewitness to the killing, the prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence and a reported confession the accused made to a private individual at the scene. Prosecutor Rowen Bevin Souls led the state’s case, and supporting witnesses, including the landlord and the landlord’s sister, testified that they had remained outside the room and did not see anyone enter or exit.

Sentence and related charges

Because the couple had been in a domestic relationship, the prescribed minimum sentence for the murder would have been life imprisonment. The court found substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the minimum, citing the accused as a first offender and that there was no evidence he was beyond rehabilitation. The man was sentenced to 22 years for murder and an additional two years for contravening section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, ordered to run consecutively for an effective 24 years’ imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

NPA statement on gender-based violence

The NPA used the case to reiterate its stance on gender-based violence and femicide. Ramkisson‑Kara said:

“Curbing the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide remains an organisational priority for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).”

She added that the NPA continued to work closely with other agencies to pursue justice in such cases.