A South African policewoman, found guilty of k!lling her police officer husband and a family friend has been sentenced to double life imprisonment.
Ntombizodwa Ntinga was sentenced in the Mtubatuba High Court on Friday for the m8rder of her husband, Warrant Officer Nkosinathi Ntinga,49, and their family friend, Mpendulo Mdluli, 34, a SAPS Administrative clerk.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in a statement revealed that Ntinga’s co-accused, 22-year-old Samkelo Mpanza, was also jailed.
According to the statement, Ntombizodwa and Ntinga had a strained relationship, and she was involved in an extra-marital relationship with a person named ‘Khoza.’
“The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) High Court sitting in Mtubatuba sentenced Ntombizodwa Gertrude Ntinga (Ntombizodwa) to life imprisonment and Samkelo Ncamisa Mpanza to 25 years imprisonment effectively for kidnapping, robbery, and m8rder, of South African Police Service (SAPS) Warrant Officer, Nkosinathi Protus Ntinga (Ntinga) and SAPS Administration Clerk, Mpendulo Mdluli,” the statement read.
“The incidents took place in the Phathane area of KwaMbonambi in August 2023. Ntombizodwa was a SAPS Sergeant, and she was married to Ntinga.
“They lived together and were stationed at the KwaMbonambi SAPS. Mdluli was a friend of Ntinga, stationed at Ntambanana SAPS. Ntombizodwa and Ntinga had a strained relationship, and she was involved in an extra-marital relationship with a person named ‘Khoza.’
“She told ‘Khoza’ that Ntinga was physically abusing her, and they decided to have him k!lled. They then procured the assistance of Mpanza and decided to use two firearms to carry out their plan.
“On 01 August 2023, the assailants hired a motor vehicle and went to Ntinga’s house, where Ntombizodwa and Mdluli also were. They accosted them at gunpoint, tied them with cable ties and took their cell phones. They also took the service pistols belonging to Ntinga and Ntombizodwa.
“They abducted Ntinga and Mdluli, loading them into Mdluli’s motor vehicle. They took the men to a nearby sugarcane field where Ntinga was fatally shot and Mdluli severely assaulted.
” Ntombizodwa was left back at the house, and she went to the neighbours for assistance. SAPS later found Mdluli’s vehicle with Ntinga’s body not far away from it.
“Mdluli was found alive on the side of the road. He had suffered head injuries and was taken to a Durban hospital where he eventually succumbed to his wounds a few days later. Mpanza and Ntombizodwa were subsequently arrested.
The state, represented by Adv. Pretty-Girl Thobile Ntsele led evidence of cellphone downloads from the digital forensic investigation, as well as the testimonies of Section 204 witnesses.
“The vehicle tracker evidence and testimonies of the various SAPS officials who dealt with the matter also bolstered the state’s case.
“In addition, Adv. Ntsele handed in Victim Impact Statements facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Sthe Cebekhulu and compiled by family members of the deceased.
“In her statement, Ntinga’s mother said that she was suffering and in disbelief that the woman who lived with her son had orchestrated his d3ath.
“Mdluli’s wife mentioned that she was heartbroken following his death, as they had gotten married two months prior (June 2023).
“Ntombizodwa was sentenced to a term of life imprisonment for each m8rder (2 x life imprisonment), 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, and five years imprisonment for each kidnapping. The sentences will run concurrently, resulting in the effective sentence of life imprisonment.
“Mpanza was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for each murder, 14 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances and four years imprisonment for each kidnapping. He will serve 25 years imprisonment, effectively.
“They were both declared unfit to possess a firearm.
“The NPA welcomes the successful prosecution of this matter. Together with our partners in the justice cluster, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of justice on behalf of the victims of crime.”
