‘He was meant to protect her’: 12-year sentence for man who stabbed partner to death

A 39-YEAR-OLD man, Kagisho Theophilus Chabalala, was sentenced to 12 years’ direct imprisonment for the brutal murder of his long-term partner, Kelebogile Ndonje, with whom he shared three children.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said Chabalala was prosecuted under the Domestic Violence Act. 

"The offence occurred in May 2024, when Chabalala accused the deceased of infidelity.  After confirming the allegation, the accused fatally stabbed Ndonje multiple times before fleeing the scene. He was arrested after an eyewitness came forward. He pleaded guilty to the charge of murder in the Galeshewe Regional Court," said Senokoatsane.

He said State advocate Tumelo Mosetlho highlighted the emotional, psychological, and financial devastation suffered by the family, particularly the three minor children.

"He presented victim impact statements that were obtained from the deceased’s mother, sibling, and uncle. The children are now in the care of their grandmother, who described the ongoing trauma, especially that of one child experiencing severe psychological distress. The eldest daughter, who was in matric at the time, failed her final exams due to the emotional toll of her mother’s death." 

Senokoatsane added that the family described Ndonje as a loving, joyful person who was also the household’s primary breadwinner.

"Her violent death not only stripped them of a mother, daughter, and sister but also left them battling to rebuild their lives amid deep grief and economic hardship." 

He said the State had called for a life sentence due to the brutality of the attack, the accused’s lack of remorse, and the broader crisis of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in the region.

"Advocate Mosetlho emphasised that Chabalala has never apologised to the family or his children and argued that his guilty plea was not rooted in genuine remorse but was merely a strategic move to gain the court's sympathy.

"The State urged the court to send a clear and forceful message that violence against women, especially within intimate relationships, will not be tolerated." 

Senokoatsane noted that while the court agreed with the prosecution that a serious sentence was warranted, it ultimately imposed 12 years' direct imprisonment.

"The NPA reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the fight against GBVF. Crimes of this nature continue to tear families and communities apart, leaving deep emotional wounds and contributing to social instability. These acts are considered to be violations of the foundational values of dignity, equality, and justice enshrined in the Constitution. The senseless killing of Ndonje by a man who was meant to love and protect her reflects the tragic reality for many women in South Africa, where the home is often a place of fear rather than safety," he added.

Senokoatsane emphasised that the NPA was committed to ensuring that GBVF perpetrators were held accountable by pursuing the harshest appropriate sentences to both punish offenders and deter future crimes.