Sergeant Joyce Ngomane, a 43-year-old police officer, was stabbed to death by her husband in Mpumalanga last week. The incident occurred amid ongoing marital issues and shortly after a campaign against gender-based violence began. Her burial is scheduled for Sunday.
Sergeant Joyce Ngomane, aged 43 and stationed at Tonga police station, was fatally stabbed at her home in Ntunda, east of Malelane, on the evening of Tuesday, December 2, 2025, around 18:00. The attack followed an altercation with her 48-year-old husband, a teacher, who allegedly carried it out. The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Tonga arrested the suspect shortly after, charging him with murder. Authorities confiscated the knife used in the stabbing.
The couple had faced marital challenges since 2018, and the husband also faces charges for violating a protection order. Ngomane's death came just a week after the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, highlighting ongoing issues in South Africa.
The accused appeared in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court, where the case was postponed until Tuesday, December 9, 2025, to allow for the appointment of a legal representative. SAPS reported the incident via a tweet on December 3, 2025, stating: "SAPS Tonga arrested a 48yr-old man on allegations that he fatally stabbed his wife (43), a female Police Sergeant, in the evening of Tuesday, 02/12 around 18:00 in Ntunda near Tonga."
Ngomane's burial is set for Sunday, December 7, 2025, providing closure to a tragic case that underscores the prevalence of domestic violence.