South African Woman Burns Her Boyfriend Alive In His Car

Nonjabulo Nokukhanya Nkosiwho, a South African woman, was sentenced to life in jail for the murder of her partner, 47-year-old ward councillor candidate Dumisani Qwabe.

Nkosiwho, 37, had planned to hire a hitman to kill her partner but failed and instead committed the crime herself. The Pietermaritzburg High Court convicted her to murder.

According to the KZN National Prosecuting Authority, Nkosi was in a romantic relationship with Qwabe and eventually chose to kill him.

“She approached Xolani Skhumbuzo Mtambo to arrange for a hitman to kill him, but the plan fell through,” said NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.

She claimed Nkosi then procured a pistol and petrol to carry out the murders on her own.

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“On October 25, 2021, Nkosi met Mtambo at a marketplace, where he loaded the firearm for her, and showed her how to use it. Thereafter, Qwabe received a call from Nkosi and left his house,” Ramkisson-Kara said.

“Later that night, his motor vehicle was found engulfed in flames on the road between Nongoma and Pongola, with his burnt remains inside.”

According to the NPA, Nkosi did not report to work the next day because she had first and second-degree burns on her left cheek and hand.

“Following Qwabe’s death, his family members discovered that his cellphone and bank card were still active. Police investigations revealed that Nkosi was using Qwabe’s bank card and banking app to make cash withdrawals and pay for purchases,” Ramkisson-Kara said.

“She was subsequently arrested, and an analysis of her cellphone records led to Mtambo’s arrest, three months later.”

According to the NPA, the state presented evidence in court of WhatsApp communications exchanged between both suspects before and after Qwabe’s murder.

“Footage from CCTV cameras at the ATM where Nkosi used Qwabe’s bank card, was also submitted as evidence.”

In addition to the sentencing, the victim impact statement presented to the court described Qwabe as a caring and supportive individual with a vested interest in the community.

The family stated that they were having difficulty coming to grips with his death, especially since he was killed in such a terrible manner.

In addition to life in prison, Nkosi was sentenced to five years for theft.

Mtambo was sentenced to 15 years in jail for murder.

“In sentencing him, the court considered the fact that he was a first offender and that he was not present on the scene when the offence was committed as substantial and compelling reasons to deviate from the minimum sentence of life imprisonment,” said Ramkisson-Kara.

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