By Sonica Naudé-Steyn
A 45-year-old man from Ugie, Siyabulela Tshemese, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after beating and abandoning his girlfriend after drinking at a local tavern.
This according to police spokesperson, Captain Ursula Roelofse, who says the incident happened on 27 October 2024.
“It is alleged that at about 21:00, the deceased (34-year-old girlfriend Amanda Kweyama) and the accused were drinking at a local tavern and after it closed they both left. According to the accused, the deceased was intoxicated and could not walk any further and it was also raining. As he was trying to support the deceased to walk, he saw a group of men walking in their direction. He then left the deceased next to the road and ran to his house to fetch a stick so that he could defend himself and the deceased,” said Roelofse.
Tshemese then allegedly claimed that upon returning to where he had left his girlfriend, he found she was no longer there.
“He was told that his girlfriend was taken to a nearby house by certain people. He went to the said house and found the her there and she was still heavily intoxicated and could not walk. He carried and beat her with the stick until he got tired and left her on the roadside till the morning,” said Roelofse.
Tshemese was allegedly woken up the next day by his father who informed him that his girlfriend was dead.
“He went to check and found his girlfriend already dead. He was later arrested by the Police. He appeared at the Ugie Magistrate Court on 30 October 2024 and bail was opposed successfully. The case was transferred to Makhanda High Court on 01 September 2025. He was remanded in custody until the 20 February 2026 when he was sentenced to life imprisonment at the High Court,” concluded Roelofse.
The investigating officer in the case, Detective Constable Brian Koitsiwe and his mentor Detective Warrant Officer Mboniswa Methuso from the Ugie detectives have been commended for their exceptional dedication and professionalism in the case.
SAPS Joe Gqabi District Commissioner, Major General Lindelwa Vellem said that the life sentence sends a strong message that crimes of this nature will not be tolerated: “As SAPS we remain resolute in the fight against gender-based violence and will continue to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.”
- Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Brian Koitsiwe.
