THE Mthatha Regional Court yesterday sentenced Thando Misani (30) to 22 years’ imprisonment for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, traffic officer Ntombikayise Fayindlala (36).
According to the spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Luxolo Tyhali, Misani entered into a plea and sentence agreement in which he admitted to stabbing Fayindlala to death on December 16, 2020.
He said in his plea explanation, Misani admitted that Fayindlala had ended their romantic relationship of two years.
“They had been staying together at Tyeks flats in the town of Elliotdale but after they separated, Misani, who was a taxi driver, moved out. On the day of the incident, Fayindlala found Misani inside her flat. In shock she ran to the vehicle driven by a male companion that had just dropped her off.
“A security guard posted at the block of flats and her neighbour heard the commotion and intervened,” said Tyhali.
He said Misani was chased out of the property by the security guard and he left the premises.
He added that the security guard called the police but before they arrived Misani returned armed with a knife. Tyhali confirmed that he overpowered the security guard and fatally stabbed him on the neck and arm before fleeing the scene.
“Senior State Advocate, Mbulelo Nyendwana, told the court that crimes of jealousy between romantic partners are very serious and prevalent in the whole of South Africa.
“The magistrate, Sizakele Sihlahla, agreed with him but found that there were circumstantial and compelling factors to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.”
Tyhali said the NPA welcomed the sentence with the hope that it would serve as a deterrent to other would-be perpetrators of gender-based violence or femicide.
