SANDF soldier sentenced to 15 years for murdering his wife

The KwaZulu-Natal Camperdown Magistrates' Court on Thursday sentenced Bernard Mandlenkosi Zondi, 53, to 15 years imprisonment for the murder of his 33-year-old wife Nonkululeko Revival Majola.

The incident took place in July 2018.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the couple were at their home in the Mpumalanga township with their infant when the incident occurred.  

"While Zondi maintained that his wife had committed suicide, the state was adamant that he had killed her with his personal firearm."

According to the NPA, in aggravation of the sentence, prosecutors handed in a victim impact statement compiled by Majola's family. 

"Her parents lamented their loss, saying that they expected Zondi to care and protect their daughter, and not be the one responsible for her demise. During sentencing, the court did not deviate from the minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and Zondi was sentenced accordingly,"

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Kara said Zondi has also been deemed unfit to possess a firearm.