Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner KwaZulu-Natal

DURBAN - The Mtubatuba Regional Court has on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, sentenced 46-year-old Musawenkosi Lucky Menyuka to 18 years in jail after he was found guilty for the murder of his ex-girlfriend on 17 February 2020.

On that fateful day, Thembelihle Nxumalo, who was 25-years-old at the time, was reported missing at Mtubatuba police station. On the same day her lifeless body was found at Oweni area with multiple stab wounds. Menyuka, a known pastor in the area, was the last person to be seen with the deceased and was duly arrested. The matter was somehow not enrolled in court and Pastor Menyuka was released. In 2025, after four years of injustice, the matter was handed over to the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit detectives who rearrested Pastor Menyuka in June 2025. Despite the state opposing bail, the suspect was released on R10 000 bail.

On 1 December 2025, on the day of his judgement, Pastor Menyuka abandoned court proceedings during a recess, and a warrant of his arrest was issued. Dedicated investigating officers traced him and he was recaptured on 12 January 2026. Eight days later the court condemned him to 18 years facing prison walls and was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Ends

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Colonel Robert Netshiunda
082 569 7629

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