LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR FEMICIDE
The Durban High Court has sentenced Sibusiso Bongekhaya Mvubu (38), to a term of life imprisonment, for the murder of his wife, Philisiwe Judith Mvubu (46) in July 2021 in the kwaMakutha area. The couple lived together at their home together with Sibusiso’s son and Philisiwe’s young nephew. At some stage, they began experiencing marital problems which caused her to obtain a domestic violence protection order against him, a month before the incident.
Philisiwe was afraid of her husband and would spend the night at her friend’s house which was nearby. On the day of the incident, Sibusiso called her to their home under the pretence of wanting to speak to her about something. He enlisted the assistance of Philisiwe’s nephew to call Philisiwe to the house. Once alone with her, he stabbed her, changed his clothes, and left the house. He then abandoned his car and then fled to Estcourt via public transport. He handed himself over to the Police a few days later, after a manhunt was launched to search for him.
Sibusiso’s version in court was that he acted in self-defence and had only stabbed Philisiwe twice before leaving the house. However, the state, led by State Advocate Krishen Shah, presented post-mortem evidence to the court demonstrating that Philisiwe suffered 13 penetrating wounds. Shah also led cellphone evidence showing Sibusiso’s movement from the time he left his house. Shah further told the court that even though Sibusiso left Philisiwe injured, he did not bother to contact the police or any emergency services so that she may have received some assistance. This was exacerbated by the fact that Sibusiso sought medical assistance for a minor wound he suffered from the altercation.
In sentencing him, the court found that he had indeed planned the murder and he was sentenced accordingly to life imprisonment.
The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter and commends the work done by the Prosecutor and the Investigating team.
