The story of Samkelisiwe Ntinga, a 32-year-old woman from Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, has shaken communities across KZN and Gauteng. What began as a missing person case in late July has now turned into a painful murder investigation, with her boyfriend at the centre of it.

Samkelisiwe Ntinga, born on 10 February 1993, was last seen alive on Wednesday, 30 July 2025, leaving work in the company of her boyfriend, Gift. The following day, he claimed she had gone to work as usual, but that turned out to be a lie.

By Monday, 4 August, after pressure from family and colleagues, a missing person case was officially opened. Two days later, on Wednesday, 6 August, police questioned Gift. Instead of cooperating, he fled, taking Samkelisiwe’s car.

On Thursday, 7 August, the vehicle was found abandoned in Krugersdorp. Nearby, authorities discovered a burnt body. The next day, on Friday, 8 August, Samkelisiwe’s family identified her remains at the mortuary, though DNA confirmation is still awaited for legal certainty.

Samkelisiwe Ntinga was declared to have died on 2 August, just days after she was last seen. She was laid to rest in Hammarsdale on 16 August 2025, her funeral drawing heartbreak and anger from her community.

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Gift Mncedisi Siyo’s confession

As the search for justice intensified, shocking details emerged about Gift’s state after the crime. He was later found collapsed on the streets, having attempted suicide by poisoning himself. He was admitted to the ICU, where he eventually confessed to social workers that he had killed Samkelisiwe Ntinga.

In a voice note shared with Missing Persons South Africa, her brother G Ntinga described the family’s grief and the developments that followed:

“We’re still not OK. We’re still in pain. This feels like a dream. We haven’t got justice yet, but we’re still looking forward to it. He did confess, as indicated by the statement he made to the social worker, and he pleaded guilty to the court and to the warrant officer that’s handling the case.”

The brother added that the family learned about his hospitalisation only after the funeral, when police confirmed he had been located in Alberton. He later admitted to killing Samkelisiwe Ntinga, though the exact statement has not yet been shared with the family.

“He pleaded guilty. He knows his wrongdoings. He said he’s ready to get the punishment he deserves. But we just want justice for Samke,” her brother said.

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Ongoing court process

The case is now before the Krugersdorp High Court, where proceedings were most recently postponed to Thursday, 18 September 2025. The family says they will continue attending hearings, waiting for a verdict.

“As a family we still wish this was a dream. It’s never easy to lose someone you love. Never. We will share more once we are allowed to, but for now we just wait,” her brother explained.

Samkelisiwe Ntinga’s death has added to a growing list of women from Hammarsdale who have lost their lives to violent circumstances in recent months. Her story is not only one of personal tragedy but also a grim reminder of the dangers faced by women in South Africa today.

For her family, justice cannot come soon enough.

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