Butterworth High Court sentences man to double life for femicide

Man sentenced to double life terms plus 57 years for femicide

BUTTERWORTH – The High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division, sitting in Butterworth, has sentenced Mandilakhe Balfour (45) to two life imprisonment terms, plus an additional 57 years, for the brutal murder of two women and a series of violent crimes linked to gender-based violence.

Balfour was convicted of the murders of two women, one of whom, Nontlahla Mankqunkqwana, had previously been in a romantic relationship with him. The court also imposed lengthy additional sentences for attempted murder, kidnapping, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to commit murder.

The crimes stem from a violent incident that occurred on 3 September 2023 in the Ngcizela area of Centane. On that day, Balfour and three women were drinking together at a local tavern. When their liquor ran out, Balfour suggested that the women accompany him to his home so that he could fetch money to buy more alcohol.

According to evidence presented in court, the women agreed and followed him to his house. Upon arrival, they found Balfour lying on his bed. When they asked him to produce the promised money, the situation took a deadly turn. Balfour suddenly produced a shotgun, closed the door, and opened fire on the three women without warning.

One of the women managed to escape unharmed and immediately raised the alarm. The other two women were locked inside the room by Balfour, who then fled the scene.

Community members later reported seeing Balfour walking away from the house while carrying what was described as a “long firearm”.

Residents rushed to the scene to assist the injured women. One victim was taken to hospital, treated, and later discharged. The other survived initially but developed serious medical complications after her discharge and died on 29 January 2024.

Balfour was arrested three days after the shooting. At the time of his arrest, police found him in possession of a shotgun and ammunition. He also had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his face, which formed part of the evidence during the trial.

During court proceedings, Balfour attempted to rely on a defence of mental breakdown, claiming that he was experiencing visions of owls at the time of the attack.

However, the State subjected this version to thorough and detailed cross-examination, after which the court rejected his claim as false beyond reasonable doubt.

In aggravation of sentence, Senior State Advocate Loyiso Methuso emphasised that the victims were part of a vulnerable group in society, and that the attack took place in circumstances where the women were entirely at the mercy of the accused.

“The victims were trapped inside the convicted murderer’s room, with no means of escape, facing a merciless monster who does not deserve to roam freely within communities,” Methuso argued before the court.

Welcoming the sentence, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Barry Madolo said the outcome sent a clear message that perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide would be dealt with decisively by the justice system.

“Those who commit such heinous crimes have no place in our society,” Madolo said, while commending the prosecutor, investigating officers, and state witnesses for their roles in ensuring justice for the victims and their families.

The sentence has been welcomed as a strong stance against femicide and violent crime, particularly in a province that continues to grapple with high levels of gender-based violence.