Limpopo man sentenced to 72 years for killing partner and baby

A 30-year-old man from Dan village in Tzaneen has been handed an effective 25-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to murdering his partner and their infant child before attempting to destroy the evidence by burning down his home. The Limpopo Division of the High Court sitting in Polokwane convicted and sentenced Lunghani Mhlongo to a cumulative 72 years’ imprisonment on multiple charges. He received 60 years for two counts of murder, five years for defeating the ends of justice and seven years for arson.

The court ordered these sentences to run concurrently, resulting in a direct imprisonment term of 25 years. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo, Mhlongo admitted to the killing of his partner, Hope Nkuna, and their eight-month-old baby on 15 September 2024. He then entered into a plea and sentencing agreement under Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.

The tragedy unfolded when an argument erupted between the couple at his parental home where they lived together. During the confrontation, Mhlongo assaulted Nkuna while she was carrying their baby on her back. Nkuna collided with a table during the assault, causing the piece of furniture to strike the child on the head.

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“He then continued to assault her by throttling her until she became unresponsive,” regional spokesperson for the NPA in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi, said. Upon checking on the baby, Mhlongo discovered the infant was also unresponsive. Following the incident, Mhlongo left his RDP house and went to stay with another family living in the same yard.

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