Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has welcomed the life sentence handed down to 20-year-old Lethu Matheza by the Sterkspruit Regional Court for the brutal and senseless murder of 22-year-old Sibongile Mankayi.
The Premier praised the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) for their swift and decisive response, ensuring justice was delivered efficiently.
“This was a barbaric, gender-based act of violence that shocked our province and our nation,” Premier Mabuyane stated. “The level of brutality inflicted upon Sibongile was horrific. Her attacker showed no regard for human dignity, and our justice system has rightly removed him from society.”
Premier Mabuyane extended his condolences to the Mankayi family and stressed that no sentence can undo the loss of life, but justice must send a strong message. “Let this be a stern warning to anyone who seeks to harm our women and children—there will be no mercy, no hiding place,” he added.
He reaffirmed the Eastern Cape Provincial Government’s dedication to working with the justice system and civil society to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). “We will continue intensifying our efforts aimed at deepening our understanding of societal change, women empowerment, and restoring justice. Justice must be more than a sentence—it must be a catalyst for transformation.”
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