The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has welcomed the life sentence handed down to Thami Sydney Mnyandu (43) for the brutal murder of his 75-year-old mother, Ntobizodwa Masina.
The sentencing was delivered by the Regional Court in Amersfoort on 06 November 2025, concluding a case built on a thorough investigation by Detective Sergeant Mahlaba.
The court heard that the incident occurred on 25 July 2024, at approximately 10:35. Police from Daggakraal responded to a complaint concerning an elderly woman who had been severely assaulted at her home in Sinqobile B. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim, Ms. Masina, lying unconscious in the yard with severe facial injuries.
Inside the house, police met the victim’s son, Thami Sydney Mnyandu. He confirmed the woman was his mother and admitted to the officers that the two had been involved in an argument, during which he lost his temper and assaulted her.
The victim was rushed to a hospital for urgent medical attention. During examination, medical staff discovered additional injuries beyond the visible facial trauma, including a wound under her left breast and a cut on her forehead.
Mnyandu was initially arrested and charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The investigation further revealed that a protection order had previously been issued against him, expressly prohibiting him from assaulting, threatening, or insulting the victim.
Despite the medical treatment, Ntobizodwa Masina succumbed to her injuries and passed away a few days after being discharged from the hospital. As a direct result of her death, the charge against Mnyandu was subsequently changed from assault GBH to murder.
The life sentence has been commended by police leadership as a significant outcome for justice in a case of severe gender-based violence and filicide.
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