Former police officer gets 25 years for murdering wife in KZN

The Pietermaritzburg High Court has sentenced former police officer Mthokozisi Nene to 25 years’ imprisonment for the murder of his wife, Thobeka Nene, in 2022.

During the judgment in August, acting judge Simon Hadebe said that although Nene’s explanation of how his wife was murdered was far-fetched, the state could not prove whether the murder was premeditated.

According to the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 and sentencing guidelines, the minimum sentence for first-time murderers is 15 years’ jail time.

However, Hadebe sentenced Nene to a much longer imprisonment of 25 years. Hadebe could not pass a life sentence due to premeditation not having been proven.

Thobeka was murdered in June 2022 in the couple’s home in Inchanga, outside Durban.

The state said that on the day of the murder, Nene brought a girlfriend to their home and his wife confronted him about it, which infuriated him and he left with the girlfriend.

Upon his return that evening, the accused had a further confrontation with the deceased, as a result of which he assaulted her.

Thobeka ran out of the home and the accused chased after her.

“Upon catching her, he dragged the deceased back to their home. At the time, he was armed with two firearms,” the state said.

Nene then shot Thobeka in the head and she died at the scene, according to the court papers.

However, Nene later claimed his wife was killed by intruders.

He maintained that neighbours, who were state witnesses, had personal issues against him and were framing him.