Breyton – Siphamandla Kagiso Makoko has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Thembelihle Nkosi.
The Mpumalanga High Court sitting in Breyton, outside Ermelo, sentenced the 30-year-old woman beater on Tuesday, (2 June 2025).
The court heard that Makoko, known in his community as “Bhamama” viciously assaulted his girlfriend during a drinking spree at a tavern in KwaZakhele Township on 2 June 2023.
Evidence led in court indicated Makoko became enraged and violent when his girlfriend engaged in a conversation with another male patron at the tavern.
Makoko beat up Nkosi so badly she had to be hospitalised.
Commenting on the matter, Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said justice was served.
Brigadier Mdhluli lamented how Makoko dragged Nkosi out of the tavern before beating her up.
“Nkosi sustained serious injuries and was taken to Ermelo Provincial Hospital the following day, with the assistance of the accused’s mother, who contacted Emergency Medical Services,” Brigadier Mdhluli said.
“Although she was discharged, Thembelihle Nkosi never recovered from her injuries.
“She was taken back to the hospital privately by the accused and sadly passed away on 5 June 2023.
“A case of murder was registered at Breyten Police Station.”
Acting Mpumalanga police commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi said: “We welcomed the sentencing”.
Major General Mkhwanazi commended the investigation team, the prosecution team, and the judiciary for their relentless efforts that led to the sentencing.
“The sentence is a clear indication that our ongoing efforts to fight against Gender-Based Violence are yielding positive results,” the police general said
Crime stats released by the police in November last year revealed shockingly high figures of murdered women.
Between July and September 2024, at least 957 women were murdered in SA.
