South African Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murdering His Wife

A South African man, Poyisa Gilbert Voyiya, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his wife, Nelly Coldetia Voyiya. The verdict was handed down on Thursday, April 10, 2025, by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court sitting in Middelburg.

The tragic incident took place in April 2022. Nelly was driving when Gilbert began chasing her in his vehicle, eventually causing her to crash into a streetlight. After the crash, she attempted to flee on foot, but Gilbert caught up with her and stabbed her multiple times in the upper body before fleeing the scene.

WHATSAPP: CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL TO RECEIVE LATEST UPDATES ON YOUR PHONES 

He later traveled to Standerton, where he confessed to his cousin. The cousin then took him to the police.

Nelly was rushed to the hospital but was sadly pronounced dead. A post-mortem confirmed that she died as a result of sharp force injuries.

During the trial, Gilbert pleaded guilty and claimed that he was mentally unstable at the time of the crime. However, a psychiatric evaluation confirmed that he was fit to stand trial.

Senior State Advocate Bakedi Maoke argued that his guilty plea did not lessen the gravity of the crime. She stressed South Africa’s ongoing battle against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), and highlighted the emotional toll on the couple’s 12-year-old child, who will now grow up without a mother.

Advocate Maoke urged the court to impose the minimum sentence of life imprisonment, which the court accepted.

In its ruling, the court condemned the brutal and senseless nature of the murder. It also declared Gilbert unfit to possess a firearm under Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

The statement reads below…….

“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the life sentence handed down to Poyisa Gilbert Voyiya, viewing it as a significant milestone in the ongoing fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF),”

“This judgment sends a strong and unequivocal message: the justice system will not tolerate acts of violence against women, particularly when committed by those entrusted with their love and protection.”