JOHANNESBURG — Bongiwe Praise Magwaza, 23, is set to be sentenced in the Johannesburg High Court today for the murder of her former boyfriend, Sergeant Kgopotso Ntsana, 36, who was stationed at Elsburg Police Station. The sentencing follows her conviction on multiple charges, including murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and defeating the ends of justice.

According to South African Police Service, Magwaza was found guilty on Monday, July 1, 2024, after a rigorous investigation by the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime team provided compelling evidence against her. The court heard how on December 2, 2022, an argument at the couple’s home in Leomakalapa, next to Windmill Park Estate in Boksburg, escalated into a violent altercation resulting in Magwaza fatally stabbing Ntsana with scissors and shooting him in the head with his own firearm. In an attempt to conceal her crime, Magwaza staged the scene to mimic a suicide and spent the night away before returning to falsely inform neighbors of Ntsana’s apparent suicide.

The initial response to the scene involved blood spatter experts and crime scene photographers, leading to an inquest docket being registered. Despite initial insufficient evidence leading to Magwaza’s brief detention for a separate assault charge, Captain Sizwe Sibeko of the Hawks' National Priority Violent Crimes unit intervened to secure her custody following forensic analysis that contradicted the suicide scenario. Charged with murder, Magwaza was initially granted bail but was later detained indefinitely following erratic behavior and a subsequent mental evaluation that declared her fit to stand trial.

Today’s sentencing follows extensive legal proceedings, including debates on aggravating and mitigating factors, with final judgments expected to bring closure to the case.