Bongani Motha, a 24-year-old man, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for robbing and fatally stabbing a 43-year-old woman in Belfast. The Middelburg Regional Court handed down the sentence on November 5.

Motha was apprehended in Randburg, Gauteng, on July 21, 2022, following a six-month investigation. Police reports indicate that on Christmas Day 2021, Motha robbed the victim in broad daylight. The incident escalated when the victim reportedly called him by name, prompting Motha to stab her. Medical personnel declared the victim dead at the scene.

The acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the investigative team for their dedication, which led to Motha’s conviction.