The family of a nurse killed by her husband outside Lebowakgomo Hospital in Limpopo has welcomed a guilty verdict and is calling for a life sentence. Fannie Seribishane shot his wife Mumsy as she prepared to start her shift in 2024, despite a protection order against him. The case highlights South Africa's ongoing gender-based violence crisis.
In a case that has reignited discussions on gender-based violence in South Africa, Fannie Seribishane, 58, was found guilty at the Polokwane High Court of murdering his wife, Mumsy Seribishane, and violating a protection order granted to her. The incident occurred in 2024 outside Lebowakgomo Hospital, where Mumsy, a nurse, was about to report for duty. She had filed for divorce a year earlier, but Seribishane disregarded the legal safeguards in place.
Judge Karin Pillay ruled that ballistic evidence presented was reliable, leading to convictions on the charges. Mumsy's family expressed relief at the verdict, though they mourn the permanent loss. Her sister, Lucy Manailana, stated: “We are relieved even though we will never see Mumsy again in this world. But we are relieved by coming here every day even though the accused was lying. We as the Thobejane family, we would like to see the accused going to jail for the rest of his life. His family should feel the pain that we have felt as well.”
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) described the loss as a tragedy for healthcare. Representative Molokomme Mokwele said: “It was very bad for us as Denosa because we lost a soldier, someone who was looking after patients and willing to do the best she can. As I’ve said, she was on her way to work when she met her death. We are not happy about it. We don’t even want to see something like that again.”
Community members have used the verdict to urge an end to violence against women and children. The murder underscores the gender-based violence crisis, declared a national disaster in December 2025. Sentencing is scheduled for April 15 at the Polokwane High Court.
