The South African Police Service (SAPS) has secured another heavy sentence following a meticulous investigation by its detectives, with a Burgersdorp man sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his pregnant partner.
Sibusiso Muteni (30) was handed the life term by the Aliwal North Magistrate’s Court on 20 February 2026 for the murder of Thenjiwe Zuma (32) and their unborn child.
The court heard that the incident occurred on 30 October 2023 at the couple’s residence on Concordia Street in Buitendag, Burgersdorp. At the time, the victim was five months pregnant with the accused’s child. The attack was precipitated by jealousy, after Muteni suspected the deceased was involved in another romantic relationship.
During the altercation inside the house, Muteni armed himself with an axe and repeatedly struck the victim, inflicting multiple fatal injuries. Zuma succumbed to her wounds at the scene.