The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of life imprisonment handed down by the Durban High Court to former Metro Police Officer, Thulasizwe Qiniso Sishi (41).
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson – KwaZulu-Natal Division said that the conviction follows his guilty plea, in terms of Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act, to the July 2025 murder of his wife, Thandokuhle Verontter Sishi (48).
In his plea, Sishi stated that he and the deceased were in a domestic relationship and lived together. He said their relationship was characterised by repeated aggression and violence from both parties, which resulted in their divorce in November 2024. However, they remarried in May 2025.
On the evening of 25 July 2025, Sishi socialised with friends at a tavern where he consumed four bottles of an alcoholic beverage. During this time, the deceased and her daughter were at home. He stated that he arrived home shortly before midnight, after which an argument ensued between him and the deceased. He then fetched a knife from the kitchen and stabbed the deceased multiple times in the chest and abdomen. Her screams alerted others, who attempted to assist, but Sishi refused them access to the house.
Sishi thereafter inflicted injuries on himself by slitting his wrist and stabbing himself in the chest in an apparent attempt to end his life. Police arrived at the scene, arrested him, and transported him to the hospital for medical treatment.
In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Rakesh Singh handed in a Victim Impact Statement (VIS), compiled by a family member of the deceased and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Thandeka Nadi Mofokeng. In the statement, the family described the deceased as a kind-hearted and generous person. Her death has had a profound and lasting impact on her loved ones, who continue to grieve her loss.
Sishi was sentenced to life imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Curbing the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide remains an organisational priority for the NPA. Together with partners in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, the NPA remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of these offences are held accountable.