Key Points:
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Poyisa Gilbert Voyiya was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his wife during a divorce dispute. Consequently, he faces the severe consequences of his actions.
- The crime occurred after Voyiya chased his wife’s vehicle, leading to a fatal stabbing.
- The case has drawn attention to the ongoing problem of gender-based violence in South Africa.
The High Court in Middelburg has sentenced Poyisa Gilbert Voyiya, 46, from Klarinet Extension, to life imprisonment. This was for the premeditated murder of his wife, Nelly Coldetia Voyiya. The brutal crime occurred amid the couple’s ongoing divorce proceedings. It has brought attention to the persistent issue of gender-based violence in South Africa.
The murder took place on April 19, 2022, in Emalahleni. Voyiya chased his wife’s vehicle until it crashed into a streetlight. As Nelly attempted to escape on foot, Voyiya caught up with her. He then stabbed her multiple times in the upper body before fleeing to Standerton.
Monica Nyuswa, regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), shared that Voyiya later confessed his crime to his cousin. The cousin subsequently turned him in to the police. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Nelly succumbed to her injuries, ultimately losing her life due to the brutal attack. A postmortem revealed that the cause of death was multiple sharp-force injuries.
Although Voyiya pleaded guilty to the crime and cited mental instability, a psychiatric evaluation confirmed that he was fit to stand trial, meaning he would face the legal repercussions of his actions.
Court Deems the Crime Brutal and Senseless
During the trial, Senior State Advocate Bakedi Maoke emphasized that Voyiya’s guilty plea did not diminish the brutality of the crime. “The country continues to grapple with gender-based violence and femicide,” Maoke said, urging the court to impose a life sentence. She also highlighted the trauma inflicted on the couple’s 12-year-old child, who will now grow up without a mother.
The court agreed with Maoke’s recommendation, calling the attack “brutal and senseless” and sentenced Voyiya to life imprisonment. Furthermore, the court declared Voyiya unfit to possess a firearm under the Firearms Control Act.
A Step Toward Ending Gender-Based Violence
The NPA welcomed the court’s decision, stating that the life sentence sends a powerful message against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Sonja Ntuli, Director of Public Prosecutions in Mpumalanga, expressed, “This sentence reaffirms our unwavering commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide in our society. That her life was taken by her husband, the father of their child, is both tragic and unacceptable.”
The NPA emphasized that the justice system will not tolerate violence against women, particularly when the perpetrator is someone trusted with their protection. The organization also encouraged communities to take an active role in combating GBVF by reporting abuse and supporting initiatives that protect women and children.
Nyuswa concluded, “Justice can only prevail when we all stand together against this scourge.”
