A quiet residential estate in Noordwyk turned into a crime scene in the early hours of Monday when a 22-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend to death during a domestic altercation.
The victim, 31-year-old Xichavo Ntsanwisi, originally from Mhinga village near Malamulele in Limpopo, was discovered lifeless on the kitchen floor of his home at Colnbrook Estate. Ntsanwisi, an employee of the Greater Giyani Municipality, had been in a relationship with the suspect, whom authorities have identified as Jo-Ann Ntokoto Mabasa, also 22 and hailing from Kremetart in Giyani, Limpopo.
According to police reports, emergency services were alerted to the scene shortly after midnight following reports of a violent disturbance. Upon arrival, paramedics from Netcare Ambulance found Ntsanwisi with a severe stab wound to the upper chest near the neck. A kitchen knife with a distinctive yellow handle lay beside his body, which investigators believe was the murder weapon.
Mabasa, who was present at the scene, was immediately taken into custody. Sources close to the investigation revealed that she confessed to the stabbing, claiming it occurred during an argument that escalated out of control. She has been charged with murder and is expected to appear before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court later today.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of life,” said a spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS) in a statement. “Domestic violence remains a pervasive issue in our communities, and we urge anyone experiencing or witnessing such situations to seek help immediately through our dedicated hotlines.”
Ntsanwisi’s colleagues at the Greater Giyani Municipality expressed shock and grief over the incident, describing him as a dedicated public servant who had recently relocated to Gauteng for work opportunities. “Xichavo was a pillar in our team, always going above and beyond,” one anonymous coworker told reporters. “This news has left us all reeling.”
The motive for the altercation remains under investigation, with detectives exploring the couple’s relationship dynamics. Preliminary reports suggest the pair had been living together in Midrand for several months.
This incident adds to a growing list of gender-based violence cases in South Africa, prompting renewed calls from advocacy groups for stricter enforcement of protective laws and increased access to counseling services.
SAPS has appealed for anyone with additional information to come forward anonymously via Crime Stop at 08600 10111. The investigation is ongoing.