Two brothers jailed for murder over a lover, and a woman loses an eye
Anele and Sandiso Mjambana were sentenced in the Cacadu High Court for the killing of a 52-year-old man and the assault that left their brother's girlfriend permanently blinded in one eye.
Two brothers from Cofimvaba have been sentenced for the murder of a 52-year-old man and the assault that cost a 36-year-old woman the sight in one eye, in a case the police have described as gender-based violence.
Anele Mjambana (35) and Sandiso Mjambana (37), who live in Mahlubini Locality in the Skobeni Administration Area, were sentenced by the Cacadu High Court on 29 October 2026, the South African Police Service said in a statement.
The court heard that on 15 November 2025, Anele Mjambana conspired with his brother to go to the home of a 52-year-old man who was allegedly involved in a romantic relationship with Anele’s 36-year-old girlfriend. The two arrived at the house and broke a window to get inside.
Once in, Anele assaulted the 52-year-old man, and the man died of his injuries. Sandiso assaulted his brother’s girlfriend with a glass object, seriously injuring her eye. The police statement says one of her eyes has since been permanently damaged.
The brothers were arrested and stayed in custody for the duration of the trial.
Anele Mjambana was sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to commit an offence and 20 years’ direct imprisonment for murder. Sandiso Mjambana was sentenced to three years’ direct imprisonment for malicious damage to property and 15 years’ direct imprisonment for attempted murder.
All the sentences will run concurrently. Both men were also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Eastern Cape District Commissioner Major General Rudolph Adolph welcomed the sentences. The police statement says he expressed confidence that they would send a stern warning to prospective perpetrators that acts of violence will not be tolerated.
The statement was issued by the Office of the Provincial Commissioner in the Eastern Cape. It is a police summary of the case and the sentencing, not the court’s written judgment. Enquiries can be directed to Captain Yolisa Mgolodela on 082 779 7247.
The source document is available at https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=72176.
