| Acting Provincial Commissioner welcomes sentencing of murderer | |
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| Date Published: | 2026/01/22 |
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Media Statement NELSPRUIT - The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has welcomed the hefty sentence that was handed down to a murderer, named Africa Thembinkosi Shongwe (57), on four counts of murder. The sentencing was delivered by the Breyten High Court in Mbombela today, Thursday, 22 January 2026, following a thorough investigation of the case. The Court heard that on the day of the incident, on 25 February 2023, concerned neighbours raised the alarm after noticing the absence of a woman who routinely accompanied her children to-and-from school. When she was not seen that morning, neighbours became concerned and proceeded to check on her. Upon entering the premises at Phola Park, neighbours observed that the house was locked from the inside, with all windows closed. Flies were visible through the windows, blood stains were noticed on the floor, and part of a child’s body could be seen. The SAPS was immediately notified. Police gained entry into the house then discovered four lifeless bodies in two separate rooms. The victims sustained head injuries, and preliminary observations suggested that a sharp object was possibly used. The deceased persons were identified and among them were three minor children (twin boys and one girl) as well as an adult female, who was the mother of the children. A thorough investigation by Police led to the arrest of Shongwe, a citizen from the Kingdom of Eswatini and the biological father of one of the deceased minors. Shongwe was charged with four counts of murder as well as contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa as he did not have valid documentation to be in the country. Shongwe pleaded guilty to all charges levelled against him on 19 January 2026, during his appearance at the Mpumalanga High Court which was sitting in Breyten. The matter was then postponed for today, Thursday 22 January 2026, for sentencing. Shongwe was convicted and sentenced as follows:
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the collaborative efforts displayed by the Investigation team, the Prosecution team, and the Judiciary, which led to this well-deserved sentence. The General further applauded community members for their vigilance and for alerting authorities after discovering the incident. Ends
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