TSOLO – Healthcare professional Baxolile Masiza, 34, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend, nursing student Nosethu Rawuzela, 24, in Tsolo in March 2025.

Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Luxolo Tyali, said the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Mthatha found that Masiza was motivated by jealousy and imposed the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.

The murder occurred at Gomeni Location in Tsolo.

Murder leaves nursing student dead

“The court heard that on the night of the incident, Masiza invited the victim to the home of his cousin, where they spent the night in a separate bedroom.

“The following morning, Masiza woke his cousin and requested assistance in taking Rawuzela to hospital. When the cousin entered the room, he found the deceased lying on a bed with severe injuries, although she was still alive.

“The pair transported her to hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival,” said Tyali.

He added that police were summoned to the scene and Masiza was arrested shortly afterwards.

Masiza admitted assaulting Rawuzela with the leg of a wooden table after becoming enraged by his belief that she was involved in a relationship with another man.

During the trial, Masiza pleaded not guilty, claiming that he had been heavily intoxicated and had not intended to kill her.

State presents evidence in murder trial

State Advocate Avumile Bikitsha led evidence from the accused’s cousin, the investigating officer and the medical practitioner who conducted the post-mortem examination.

Tyali said the State’s witnesses testified that Rawuzela attempted to flee during the assault but was trapped by Masiza, causing her to fall and strike her head.

Evidence further revealed that Masiza dragged her back into the house by her hair and continued assaulting her, including repeatedly banging her head against a wall.

During the sentencing proceedings, Bikitsha led evidence from Rawuzela’s aunt, who described a history of domestic abuse throughout the relationship.

She testified that Rawuzela had previously shown her visible injuries, including bruises on her neck following an alleged strangulation incident.

According to Tyali, the aunt further told the court that, on one occasion, Rawuzela had been forced to leave Masiza’s home at midnight when another girlfriend arrived.

Although Rawuzela had attempted to end the relationship, Masiza allegedly continued to harass her.

This included following her to her family home and refusing to leave unless he was allowed inside.

Tyali said the court also heard that, just a week before her death, Rawuzela had reported being slapped by Masiza.

Court imposes life sentence

Despite repeated encouragement from family members to report the abuse to police, she declined to do so because she loved him.

In handing down the sentence, Judge Mbulelo Jolwana condemned the sustained domestic violence that preceded the murder.

“Regrettably, it is her failure to get the accused arrested for the domestic violence that he has been repeatedly subjecting her to that ultimately resulted in her losing her life. Had these incidents been reported, the accused may have been arrested, and the deceased might still be alive today,” said Jolwana.

The court agreed with the State’s submission that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a departure from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.

Welcoming the outcome, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Eastern Cape, Advocate Samkelo Mtwana, said the sentence reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide.

“This sentence sends a clear message that perpetrators of violence against women will be held accountable for their actions.

“The NPA remains committed to ensuring justice for victims and their families and to pursuing the harshest consequences available under the law for those convicted of such heinous crimes,” said Mtwana.

The NPA remains steadfast in its efforts to combat gender-based violence and femicide and to ensure that victims and their families receive justice through the criminal justice system.

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