South African K!lls His Pregnant Girlfriend; Burns Her Body

In Mpumalanga, South Africa, the High Court has sentenced 29-year-old Jabulani Nkosi to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his pregnant girlfriend, Boitsoko Khoza, and an additional five years for arson.

Nkosi was found guilty of murder and arson and received his sentence on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated that Khoza was last seen by a friend on 22 November 2023. On that day, she notified her colleagues via WhatsApp that she would not be at work because she planned to visit her family in Mamelodi.

When she did not reach her destination, her family tried to contact her friends and colleagues.

Her phone was switched off, and she was later reported missing.

On the morning of 25 November 2023, her flatlet in Evander was set on fire. The Govan Mbeki Fire Brigade responded, extinguished the flames, and discovered her charred body inside the flat.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that Khoza had been viciously attacked, suffering multiple rib fractures and stab wounds before her body was set alight. It was also determined that she was ten weeks pregnant at the time of her death.

Nkosi was apprehended after confessing the killing to friends.

Senior State Advocate Themba Lusenga presented compelling evidence, including accounts from eyewitnesses, fire experts who examined the scene, and a local businessman who testified that the accused sold him the deceased’s cellphone for R650.

During sentencing, the court considered a Victim Impact Statement from Khoza’s mother, which outlined the profound emotional trauma and devastating impact on the family.

The court deemed the murder brutal and inhumane. Advocate Lusenga argued that Nkosi showed no remorse and provided no explanation for his actions.

The State highlighted the widespread issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in society and the aggravating circumstance of the victim’s pregnancy at the time of her death.

Nkosi received a life sentence for murder and five years for arson.

The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, meaning Nkosi will serve life imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence and expresses its satisfaction with the outcome. The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring justice for victims of gender-based violence and supporting survivors and their families throughout the legal process,” NPA added.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli