STERKSPRUIT – A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his 69-year-old mother after accusing her of bewitching him.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, Songezo Michael Moholei was sentenced in the Sterkspruit Regional Court on 29 July after pleading guilty to the murder of Maphumulo Moholei, whom he fatally assaulted during an argument at their home in October 2025.
He said the court heard that the incident occurred on 9 October 2025 at Terminus locality in the Voyizana area of Sterkspruit.
Tyali said that, in his plea explanation, Moholei admitted that he had argued with his mother after returning home late.
He said that during the altercation, Moholei accused his mother of bewitching him.
“He then grabbed a wooden stick from her and struck her on the head before continuing to assault her on the rest of her body. The attack took place in full view of neighbours,” said Tyali.
He said the deceased was taken to Empilisweni Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Tyali said that, in aggravation of sentence, State Prosecutor Anele Magibile submitted that the offence had been committed against a vulnerable victim in a domestic setting and was motivated by harmful superstition.
He said the State further argued that the murder represented a grave breach of the trust inherent in the parent-child relationship.
Tyali said Magibile urged the court to impose an appropriate and deterrent sentence that would send a strong message against gender-based violence and femicide, as well as violence fuelled by accusations of witchcraft.
“Faced with the overwhelming evidence presented by the State, Moholei elected to plead guilty in terms of Section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977,” said Tyali.
He said that, in delivering the sentence, the court agreed with the State’s submissions and sentenced Moholei to life imprisonment.
The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape, Advocate Samkelo Mtwana, welcomed the sentence, saying it reflects the seriousness with which the NPA views violent crimes committed within the home.
“This sentence demonstrates our commitment to fully prosecuting perpetrators of domestic violence under the law. We will not tolerate violence fuelled by superstition and misinformation,” said Mtwana.
Tyali said the NPA reiterated its commitment to combating violence against women, the elderly and other vulnerable members of society.
He said perpetrators of such crimes will be pursued relentlessly and will face the full might of the law.
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