The Pietermaritzburg High Court in KwaZulu Natal has sentenced a 33-year-old Sandile Masa Ngcobo to three life terms and 10 years imprisonment for 2023 triple murder. This is after he pleaded guilty to the murders of his and attempted murder he committed in September 2023. 

KZN NPA Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said that in his plea, Ngcobo who worked for a security company outlined the incidents that took place on 09 September 2023, where he shot and killed his 28-year-old girlfriend Noluthando Mkhize, their three-year-old daughter Lusikhanya Mkhize and her ex-boyfriend 26-year-old Thabiso Ntshangase (26). "The man was shot and killed after he suspected him to be in a relationship with his partner. His two-year-old daughter was also shot but survived. On the day of the incident, the man said that he had gone to the Nhlalakahle area where his partner and their two children lived. "He went there to drop off some clothes he had bought for the children, however shortly after his arrival he and Noluthando got into an argument. He said that this argument confirmed his suspicions that she was cheating on him with her ex-boyfriend. He then drew out his work-issued firearm and shot at his partner as well as his two children who were with her," said Kara. Kara said that Ngcobo's girlfriend and the three-year-old child were fatally wounded while the two-year-old was rushed to a nearby hospital.

After shooting his family, Ngcobo then drove to the ex-boyfriend's house and shot Ntshangase dead. Ngcobo told the court that after shooting, his girlfriend's ex, he went to the Bishopstowe area where he attempted suicide by shooting himself in the head only to wake up at a hospital. In the state's case, Advocate Mbongeni Mthembu, handed in Victim Impact Statements to the court. "The statements were compiled by the family members of the deceased and facilitated by court preparation officer, Mbalenhle Valencia Komane. The family of the man's partner described her as a hard-working and kind person who took care of the family. They said that they are receiving counselling as the incident, which happened in their home, has left them traumatised," Kara said. She added that the ex-boyfriend was described as a respectful person whom his family depended on. "The man was sentenced to life imprisonment for each of the murders and 10 years imprisonment for attempted murder. He will serve an effective sentence of life imprisonment," she said.