It was supposed to be another day in student life at Nelson Mandela University—classes, deadlines, and late-night conversations.
But on June 6, 2023, tragedy unfolded in one of the dorm rooms when a dispute between two students turned into a brutal killing that shocked the entire campus and the country.
Life Sentence Handed Down to Student for Murdering Ex-Girlfriend
Luyanda Mahlanza, a 20-year-old student at NMU, has been sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty of murdering his former girlfriend, Zimkhitha Ntshisela, who was also 20.
The shocking attack took place in her university residence room in George, Western Cape.
The George Regional Court dismissed Mahlanza’s claims that he acted in self-defence, firmly concluding that there was no credible evidence to back up his version of events.
The Night Everything Changed
According to reports from IOL, Mahlanza and Ntshisela were alone in her dorm room when other students nearby heard a loud and disturbing commotion.
Concerned for her safety, they quickly alerted a student assistant for help.
Using a spare key, the assistant opened the door and walked into a horrifying scene—Mahlanza was in the middle of stabbing Ntshisela repeatedly.
The assistant managed to intervene and restrain him, finally putting a stop to the brutal attack.
Attempted Justification Falls Apart in Court
When the case went to trial, Mahlanza tried to claim that Ntshisela had confronted him about cheating and came at him with a knife, forcing him to act in self-defence.
But prosecutor Advocate Karin Barnard argued otherwise, saying the evidence suggested the murder was calculated.
The court also noted that Mahlanza only pleaded guilty late in the trial—an action the judge described as more strategic than sincere.
It didn’t come across as true remorse, but rather as an attempt to reduce his sentence.
A Reminder of a Growing Concern on Campuses
The murder of Zimkhitha Ntshisela has raised broader concerns about safety in university environments and the disturbing rise in gender-based violence among young people.
This wasn’t just a tragic end to a young relationship—it was a cold, violent act that left a community reeling.
Many are now asking: what more needs to be done to protect students and ensure campuses are safe spaces?
