DALASILE, Eastern Cape – A 47-year-old man has been sentenced in the Mthatha High Court for the brutal killing of his biological mother in a case linked to witchcraft allegations.
Samuel Ndesi was sentenced on Friday, 8 May, in the Mthatha High Court for murdering his mother in Dalisile last year.
Police spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said the court heard that on 25 July 2025, Ndesi arrived at his homestead in Caca Location, Mhlontlo A/A, as the family was preparing for a traditional ceremony.
She said Ndesi, who was under the influence of alcohol, confronted his mother, Retuie Ndesi (68), and accused her of bewitching him and other members of the family.
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“He then took out a knife and fatally stabbed her. He was arrested and remanded in custody until his sentencing on Friday, 8 May,” said Mgolodela.
Mgolodela said the court convicted and sentenced Ndesi to eight years’ imprisonment for imputing witchcraft (contravention of the Witchcraft Suppression Act 3 of 1957) and 20 years of direct imprisonment for murder, amounting to a cumulative 28 years’ imprisonment.
The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective 20 years’ direct imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The District Commissioner, Major General Rudolph Adolph, welcomed the sentence.
“The sentence will serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders. Hefty sentences are necessary in order to curb despicable and heinous crimes against elderly people,” said Adolph.
