A South African woman received a life sentence for burning her boyfriend to death in his car.

Nonjabulo Nokukhanya Nkosi, a 37-year-old South African woman, received a life sentence for murdering her boyfriend, Dumisani Qwabe, a 47-year-old ward councilor candidate.

Nkosi planned to hire a hitman to kill him but ultimately carried out the murder herself. She was convicted of murder in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.

The National Prosecuting Authority in KZN stated that Nkosi, who was romantically involved with Qwabe, decided to kill him.

“She approached Xolani Skhumbuzo Mtambo to arrange for a hitman to kill him, but the plan fell through,” said NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.

She said Nkosi then obtained a firearm and petrol to carry out the killing by herself.

“On October 25, 2021, Nkosi met Mtambo at a marketplace, where he loaded the firearm for her, and showed her how to use it. Thereafter, Qwabe received a call from Nkosi and left his house,” Ramkisson-Kara said.

“Later that night, his motor vehicle was found engulfed in flames on the road between Nongoma and Pongola, with his burnt remains inside.”

The NPA stated that Nkosi failed to report to work the following day because she sustained first and second-degree burns on her left cheek and left hand.

“Following Qwabe’s death, his family members discovered that his cellphone and bank card were still active. Police investigations revealed that Nkosi was using Qwabe’s bank card and banking app to make cash withdrawals and pay for purchases,”Ramkisson-Kara said.

“She was subsequently arrested, and an analysis of her cellphone records led to Mtambo’s arrest, three months later.

In court the state handed in evidence of WhatsApp messages between both the accused before and after Qwabe’s murder, the NPA said.

“Footage from CCTV cameras at the ATM where Nkosi used Qwabe’s bank card, was also submitted as evidence.”

During the sentencing, a victim impact statement presented to the court described Qwabe as a kind and supportive individual who was deeply involved in the community.

The family expressed their struggle to cope with his death, particularly due to the gruesome nature of his killing.

In addition to a life sentence, Nkosi received five years imprisonment for theft.

Mtambo was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for the murder.

“In sentencing him, the court considered the fact that he was a first offender and that he was not present on the scene when the offence was committed as substantial and compelling reasons to deviate from the minimum sentence of life imprisonment,” said Ramkisson-Kara.