Key Points
- Ndlovu strangled his two-year-old daughter after a fight with his ex-girlfriend.
- He had earlier assaulted the woman with a stick, causing serious injuries.
- The court sentenced him to 22 years in prison after he pleaded guilty.
A Pietermaritzburg man, Siyabonga Wiseman Ndlovu, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for the murder of his two-year-old daughter and the assault of his ex-girlfriend.
The High Court in Pietermaritzburg handed down the sentence after he pleaded guilty to both crimes.
The first attack
The events began on April 3, 2024, in Umthwalume. Ndlovu used a stick to assault his 40-year-old ex-girlfriend, causing serious injuries. She needed urgent medical care.
The case was reported at the Hibberdene Police Station, and a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous harm was opened.
A deadly escalation
On April 20, things took a darker turn. Ndlovu confronted his ex-girlfriend and her new partner. He demanded to see his daughter and threatened to take her away.
He later traveled to Esiqungeni, where the child was staying with her aunt.
There, Ndlovu forcefully took the child from her aunt and strangled her to death. He later called his ex-girlfriend and told her where to find their daughter’s body.
Arrest and sentence
Police quickly arrested Ndlovu and opened a murder case. Detectives at Hibberdene Police Station led the investigation and gathered strong evidence against him. Faced with the findings, Ndlovu pleaded guilty to the charges.
The court sentenced him to 20 years for the murder and 2 years for the assault, to run consecutively.
Police and the court hope this sentence brings some justice to the grieving family.
