A former Democratic Alliance PR councillor, Michael Buthelezi, was sentenced to four life imprisonment terms for the murder of his partner and their three children in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal. The Ladysmith Regional Court found Buthelezi guilty of killing Khombisile Nyoka, 41, and their children: 12-year-old Lubanzi, nine-year-old Zigizemdoda, and two-year-old Sibingele in October 2023. He also received an additional 15-year sentence for arson and obstructing justice. Police revealed that Buthelezi set fire to the family’s two-room house while they were asleep, burning them alive. He escaped with minor injuries and initially claimed he was attacked due to his anti-corruption work. Buthelezi later accused his partner’s ex-boyfriend of attacking the house with a bomb, but police found no evidence supporting this. Investigations proved Buthelezi was solely responsible for the crime. KwaZulu-Natal police praised the investigative team for their dedication and thorough work, which led to the strong evidence securing his conviction.
