Anger kills! Regrets of a femicide convict

Manelisi Motha*, 33, is serving a 12 year sentence at the Standerton Correctional Centre in Mpumalanga for murdering his girlfriend Portia Ngema*. 

Motha said gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) are not just crimes against the victims — they are tragedies that rip through families, communities, and the lives of those left behind. 

“I wish I had never committed this crime. GBVF is wrong and I regret my actions,” Motha said.

As South Africa observes the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children (25 November to 10 December), Vuk'uzenzele seeks to highlight stories like Motha’s. His arrest and conviction for the crime of femicide, serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address GBVF across society. 

“My crime’s impact is not limited to my late partner. After this crime, I hurt a lot of people and the community… Her whole family was hurt, especially her child. Even today, they are still hurting.”

Motha has served seven years of his sentence for the murder of Ngema.

Link to alcohol abuse 

At the core of his crime, he attributes alcohol abuse, an inability to manage anger, and the absence of positive role models in communities to teach men how to treat women.

“I wish there could be more sessions where men can talk about how they feel; even churches could play a role. Most people are not educated about GBVF. I think it’s important to educate boys about how to treat women and that they should not be abused or killed.”

Upon reflection, Motha said he wished he had spoken to someone when he first felt overwhelmed with anger during disagreements in their relationship. 

“It’s important for men to talk about how they feel. Sometimes we have this thing that men don’t cry. A man must cry so that he can solve certain situations...”

He also spoke about the dangers of alcohol abuse in society.

“If you are drunk, there is no good decision you can make. I regret my actions and I am sorry for taking a life. I need men to know that GBVF is wrong. Women should not be abused or murdered,” said Motha. 

On the next page, read about government's continued implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF.

*Manelisi Motha and Portia Ngema not their real names.

Did you know? 

Government continues to implement the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBVF. Progress includes:

• Establishment of additional Thuthuzela Care Centres, increasing the national total to 66.
• All 1 162 police stations now offer Victim-Friendly Services (VFS) that meet quality standards.
• 185 Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units operational nationwide, with GBV desks at every police station.
• Over 90 000 illegal liquor outlets closed or stopped from operating.
• The South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, and the Department of Health continue to provide trauma debriefing and psychosocial support services.
• The DNA backlog on sexual offences cases has been finalised.
• Amendments to key legislation, including the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act (2021), the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act (2021), and the Domestic Violence Amendment Act (2021).
• Finalisation of regulations supporting the amended laws.
• Amendments to the Customary Law framework and the Traditional Courts Bill.
• Amendments to the Cybercrimes Act

If you are a survivor of GBV and need help, contact the GBV Command Centre’s toll-free helpline at 0800 428 428, or request a social worker to contact you by dialing *120*7867# from your mobile phone. You can also contact the Stop Gender Violence Helpline at 0800 150 150.