Key Points
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Poyisa Gilbert Voyiya was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his wife during a divorce dispute.
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The court described the murder as “brutal and senseless,” citing the lasting impact on the couple’s child.
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The NPA called for increased community involvement in combating gender-based violence.
A 46-year-old man from Klarinet Extension, Poyisa Gilbert Voyiya, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal, premeditated murder of his wife, Nelly Coldetia Voyiya. The case highlights the ongoing issue of gender-based violence in the country.
Murder during divorce dispute
Voyiya murdered his wife on April 19, 2022, while they were in the middle of divorce proceedings. The couple, who shared a 12-year-old child, had an argument that escalated into violence.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Voyiya chased his wife’s vehicle until she crashed into a streetlight. When she tried to flee on foot, he pursued her and stabbed her multiple times in the upper body before fleeing to Standerton.
The victim was rushed to a hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries. A postmortem confirmed the cause of death as multiple sharp force injuries.
Voyiya confesses to crime
Voyiya later confessed to the crime to his cousin, who took him to the police. Though he pleaded guilty and claimed mental instability, a psychiatric evaluation found him fit to stand trial.
Senior State advocate Bakedi Maoke argued that Voyiya’s guilty plea did not lessen the severity 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 emphasized the lasting trauma inflicted on the couple’s child, who would now grow up without a mother.
Court’s decision and NPA response
The court described the attack as “brutal and senseless” and imposed a life sentence, agreeing with the prosecution’s call for the harshest penalty. Voyiya was also declared unfit to possess a firearm under the Firearms Control Act.
The NPA welcomed the ruling, viewing the life sentence as a strong statement in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
“This judgment sends a strong message: the justice system will not tolerate violence against women, especially when committed by those entrusted with their care,” said NPA spokesperson Monica Nyuswa.
NPA’s commitment to fighting GBVF
Sonja Ntuli, the Director of Public Prosecutions in Mpumalanga, emphasized the NPA’s commitment to combating gender-based violence.
“This conviction shows that the courts will impose the harshest sentences on those who violate the rights of women,” Ntuli said.
She expressed condolences to the victim’s family, particularly the young child left behind.
The NPA urged communities to actively confront GBVF by reporting abuse and supporting initiatives aimed at protecting women and children.
