By Sonica Naudé-steyn

Eastern Cape SAPS has welcomed the heavy sentenced handed down to a 40-year-old man who brutally attacked his girlfriend and her family with an axe, resulting in one death and multiple critical injuries.
This according to police spokesperson, Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, who said that the conviction occurred on 26 March 2026 at the Maloti Regional Court when Mboneleleli Ntantiso was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, an effective 45 years for three counts of attempted murder, and 10 years for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
“The court heard that on 19 May 2025, the suspect fatally attacked his girlfriend with an axe at her residence. He then proceeded to attack five other family members, including her siblings, with the same weapon, inflicting life-threatening injuries. Following the attack, Ntantiso fled the scene, leaving the victim’s lifeless body behind,” said Ganatana.
He said that a multidisciplinary manhunt was immediately launched under the direction of the District Commissioner of Alfred Nzo, Major General Nompumelelo Majikijela.
“The operation brought together members from Crime Intelligence, Matatiele and Maloti Visible Policing (Vispol) Detectives, and the Maloti K9 unit. The collaborative effort led to the suspect’s arrest in under a week,” said Gantana.
The case was initially enrolled at the Matatiele Magistrate’s Court before being transferred to the Maloti Regional Court, where the suspect was found guilty on all charges on 20 March 2026.
The investigating officer, Warrant Officer Mazibuko, was commended for his meticulous work in securing a conviction. The Station Commander of Matatiele Detectives, Lieutenant Colonel Thafeni, also played a pivotal role in overseeing the investigation.
“The SAPS reiterates its commitment to removing violent criminals from our communities and ensuring that perpetrators of gender-based violence face the full might of the law,” concluded Gantana.