Zuko Komisa
- Samuel Ndesi, 47, has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for the fatal stabbing of his 68-year-old mother, Retuie Ndesi, in July 2025.
- While intoxicated during preparations for a family ceremony, Ndesi accused his mother of bewitching him before attacking her with a knife.
- The Mthatha High Court handed down terms for both murder and the illegal imputation of witchcraft, ordering the sentences to run concurrently.
The Mthatha High Court has sentenced 47-year-old Samuel Ndesi to an effective 20 years in prison for the murder of his mother at their family homestead in Caca Location.
The incident occurred in July last year while the family was gathered to prepare for a traditional ceremony.
Ndesi, who was under the influence of alcohol at the time, sparked a confrontation by accusing his mother of practicing witchcraft against him and other relatives.
During the heated argument, Ndesi produced a knife and stabbed the 68-year-old woman, inflicting fatal injuries.
He was apprehended shortly after the attack and has remained in custody throughout the legal proceedings.
On Friday, the court found him guilty of murder and of violating the Witchcraft Suppression Act, which prohibits the accusation of others as witches.
Although Ndesi received eight years for the witchcraft charge and 20 years for murder a total of 28 years the court ruled that the sentences should be served simultaneously.
Major General Rudolph Adolph welcomed the verdict, noting that the sentence serves as a stern warning against the victimisation of the elderly and the dangerous consequences of baseless witchcraft allegations.
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