South Africa’s grim scourge of gender-based violence has again left the nation numb — this time with a harrowing case unfolding in Mpumalanga, where a 30-year-old man has confessed to killing his 43-year-old sister and burying her in a shallow grave at their family home a year ago.
The sister, Sibongile Nkosi, is believed to have been killed during a domestic altercation at their home in Kabokweni outside White River, marking yet another femicide case that has become tragically common in South Africa.
Police arrested the suspect on Tuesday, but he cannot be named until he appears in court.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the man revealed the horror to police himself.
“According to information, the men and women in blue received details about a man who reportedly indicated that he had buried his elder sister’s body in the yard of his place of residence at Kabokweni,” Mdhluli said.
“The man further claimed that he had a heated argument with his sister on 29 May 2024. According to him, the situation turned ugly, and he allegedly struck her, leading to her death.
“He then kept quiet and remained with this secret in his heart for a period of about a year.”
Haunted by his dead sister
Sunday World has learnt that the suspect only made the chilling confession after a neighbour attacked him for allegedly stealing a laptop.
The stolen device was found at the suspect’s home — the same property where his sister’s body was later discovered.
It was in that moment, sources say, that he broke down in tears and confessed to the year-old murder.
He allegedly told stunned community members that his sister had been haunting him ever since he killed her. The community members immediately alerted the police.
The police confirmed the story but added that no one was missing because the younger brother lied to his family and neighbours by saying that Sibongile had visited friends.
Sibongile’s body was exhumed on Thursday with the help of the SA Police Service’s forensic service and the K9 unit.
“Human remains were exhumed at the house of a male suspect that was arrested on allegations that he murdered his sister. DNA tests will be conducted as part of the ongoing investigation by the police,” Mdhluli said.
Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, the acting provincial police commissioner, highlighted that the investigative team would thoroughly investigate every aspect of the case.
“Police will conduct a thorough probe to understand the events of that fateful day,” Mdhluli stated.
Distressing and shocking
Mpumalanga community safety, security, and liaison MEC Jackie Macie described the incident as “distressing and greatly shocking”.
“It is distressing and greatly shocking for someone to die at the hands of her brother. Families are expected to protect and keep each other out of harm’s way, considering the levels of violent crime in this country,” Macie said.
Macie offered condolences to the bereaved family, calling for support from the community and a united front against femicide.
“We are therefore calling for the community to support the families and victims of violent crimes. We also want families to seek help in addressing challenges — to speak out before it is too late,” he said.
Macie further linked such brutal incidents to undiagnosed mental illness, noting the importance of broader societal involvement in prevention efforts.
He stressed: “While the police and the criminal justice [system] were doing their all to curb the scourge, communities and all sectors must work together to [ensure the] protection of women and children.”
The suspect was due at the Kabokweni Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon but had not yet appeared by the time of publication.
