EASTERN CAPE — A 13-year prison sentence has been handed down in a high-profile Buffalo City murder case, closing the book on the horrific death of a local woman. The KuGompo Regional Court officially convicted 40-year-old Khanyisa Magqaza on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, for the killing of his 30-year-old girlfriend, ensuring he will spend over a decade behind bars for the fatal attack.
The judicial conclusion brings an end to a disturbing investigation that began nearly three years ago. Alongside the direct imprisonment term, the court also ruled that Magqaza is permanently unfit to possess a firearm.
Buffalo City District Commissioner Major General CJ Wright publicly praised the judicial outcome, welcoming the court’s decision to hold the perpetrator accountable for the loss of Bulelwa Rigala’s life.
A Gruesome Discovery in Phase 1
The tragic sequence of events unfolded on the morning of Tuesday, 22 August 2023. At approximately 09:00, law enforcement received an emergency tip-off regarding a homicide in Phase 1 of the Cambridge Location.
Responding officers arrived at the scene to find Rigala’s lifeless body deliberately concealed inside a local shack. Forensic observations at the scene revealed a brutal attack; the victim had sustained multiple severe injuries, and authorities noted that her left eye had been heavily damaged and removed.
Relentless Police Work Leads to Swift Arrest
Following the discovery, Detective Constable Anathi Zaza of the SAPS Cambridge Detective Unit took charge of the docket. Tasked with building a watertight case, Zaza’s meticulous investigative work quickly identified Magqaza—who was romantically involved with the deceased—as the suspect.
The swift police action resulted in Magqaza being tracked down and arrested on 25 August 2023, just three days after the body was found.
Bail Denied and Custodial Remand
Magqaza’s initial legal proceedings took place at the KuGompo Magistrate’s Court on 28 August 2023. During the bail hearing, Detective Constable Zaza successfully argued against the accused’s release, outlining the severity of the charges and the strength of the state’s case.
As a result, bail was formally opposed and denied. Magqaza was remanded in police custody, where he remained continuously until his final conviction and sentencing by the regional court this July.
