Latest news with #Wandile
TimesLIVE
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Wandile Molebatsi and wife Jessica Jane celebrate 12 years of marriage
Filmmaker and actor Wandile Molebatsi, best known for his roles in A Million Colours and Happiness Is a Four-Letter Word, recently celebrated a major milestone — 12 years of marriage with his wife, fashion designer Jessica Jane. Taking to Instagram, Wandile shared a heartfelt tribute to mark the occasion, posting a black and white throwback from their wedding day. 'My anchor through it all #HappyAnniverssary.' The couple tied the knot in 2013 and have since been admired for their love, mutual respect and creative synergy, thriving in the demanding worlds of film and fashion. Over the years they've built not only a family but a solid partnership that continues to inspire fans and followers. Speaking candidly about married life in a previous interview, Wandile acknowledged it hasn't always been smooth sailing. 'I don't think there is a perfect marriage. Each couple have their own struggles and arguments are always there. My wife and I have our ups and downs but we work around them. I also think challenges play a major role in our lives.' He emphasised the importance of seeking guidance. 'The only right way to get over [challenges] is to ask for advice and not be afraid to ask for help.' As they celebrate 12 years together, Wandile and Jessica continue to exemplify commitment, growth and enduring love, proving that while marriage may not be perfect, it can be deeply rewarding when nurtured with patience and care.
IOL News
12-07-2025
- IOL News
Father of slain Durban schoolgirl expresses heartfelt gratitude for justice
Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo's killers were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Durban High Court. Image: Supplied The father of the slain Durban Girls Secondary School pupil has expressed gratitude to the police and prosecution after the Durban High Court sentenced her killers to life imprisonment. Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo was brutally murdered in their home at Mlazi township, Durban. Mondli Ngcobo said that although his daughter was not going to come back, he was happy with how the court sentenced Sifundo Bongani Bhengu, 39, and Bongani Freedom Jali, 24. On May 28, 2024, Bhengu and Jali entered the Ngcobo house to steal a big screen television so that they could sell it to get more drugs, as they were addicts. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ They watched Ngcobo and Wandile's younger sister leave his house in the morning. They both went to the house and stole the TV, robbed Wandile of her cellphone, and took a Puma backpack. The TV was later sold at the Durban CBD. Wandile's body was found gagged and bound with pantyhose. They were both sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder on Friday. Ngcobo said State senior prosecutor, Advocate Krishen Shah, and the investigating officer, Sergeant Mndeni Mzila, were dedicated to making sure that justice was served. 'Not all police officers are corrupt. Sgt Mzila dedicated himself to this case. We wanted closure, and we got it,' he said. Sifundo Bhengu, front, and Bongani Jali were sentenced to life imprisonment for killing Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo. Image: Nomonde Zondi However, he said it was disappointing that Bhengu and Jali did not get charged for allegedly raping his daughter before killing her. He alleged that when Sgt Mzila started investigating the case, it was too late, as they had buried Wandile. He added that Wandile's body became stale while at a mortuary, so doctors could not determine whether she was indeed raped. 'I think I have to accept this and let it go,' he said. Additionally, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in KZN, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said the conviction underscores their commitment to ensuring justice for victims of crime and their families. After the sentencing, Legal Aid advocate Phumelele Daniso told the High Court that Jali had instructed him to appeal the sentence, as he felt that the life imprisonment was too harsh. Daniso stated that his client was present in the planning of stealing, which was hatched and executed up until the items were sold. 'Jali's participation did not go to the extent that he inflicted the wound. The misdirection of the court here is that it had to look at the participation of each accused,' Daniso explained. Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo was killed in her home at uMlazi while preparing for her Grade 11 exams. Image: Supplied He said the court convicted both Bhengu and Jali on a common purpose, adding that another court would not sentence Jali any differently. Judge Garth Harrison said to deviate, one must find substantial and compelling circumstances. He asked Daniso if the compelling circumstance was that Jali did not stab Wandile. Daniso said yes. However, Judge Harrison said the issues that Daniso relied on were dealt with in the sentence. 'I considered these and I rejected them. Leave to appeal is refused,' Judge Harrison said.
IOL News
11-07-2025
- IOL News
Life sentences for the brutal murderers of Wandile Ngcobo
Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo was killed in her home at uMlazi while preparing for her Grade 11 exams. Image: Supplied The Durban High Court has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for the murder of Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo, who was brutally killed while she was at home studying for her Grade 11 exams. Judge Garth Harrison sentenced Sifundo Bongani Bhengu, a neighbour, to 20 years' imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances and life imprisonment for the murder of Wandile. Bongani Freedom Jali was also sentenced to life imprisonment for killing Wandile and 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances. Wandile was killed on May 28, 2024. She was home alone as her younger sister had gone to school and her father, Mondli Ngcobo, was at work. She chose to stay behind to study. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ Bhengu and Jali entered her home and robbed her of her cellphone, taking a television and a Puma backpack. During the trial, the court learned that the duo hatched a plan to go and steal from Wandile's home because they wanted money to buy drugs. A television set was sold in the Durban CBD to a foreign national as the duo claimed that he would pay more money. Sifundo Bhengu, front, and Bongani Jali were sentenced to life imprisonment for killing Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo. Image: Nomonde Zondi Additionally, both of them knew that Wandile was in the house, but they still proceeded with their plan. Wandile's body was found gagged and bound with pantyhose. Judge Harrison said Wandile was gagged with a pantyhose to prevent her from screaming. As he handed down his sentence, he said he found no compelling reasons to deviate from minimum sentences, adding that the duo kept on blaming each other for Wandile's murder. 'The tragedy is that in this, neither (accused) has shown remorse,' Judge Harrison added. He told Jali, who has been claiming that the trial was part of community outrage posted on social media against him, that he was not a victim but a perpetrator. 'I convicted you of not having seen this outrage on social media,' Judge Harrison explained. Jali had also claimed that the investigating officer plotted with a State witness, Nkululeko 'Sticks' Mbatha, to implicate him. He said the court convicted him because his version was a lie. Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo. Image: Supplied He said the suggestion that Jali was under the influence of drugs during the commission of the crimes was not mitigating but aggravating. According to Judge Harrison, the duo conceded that they committed the offence to get more drugs. 'Jali sought to repeat the suggestion that he went along with Bhengu to Ngcobo's home because he was scared, forgetting that in the trial, he said he went along for drug money.' Moreover, he said Bhengu suggested that he was remorseful and knew how Ngcobo felt, as he had a daughter. The judge said Bhengu had the audacity to suggest that he should be treated as a whistle-blower or a Section 204 witness (a compelled witness to testify against their co-accused with the potential to incriminate themselves, in exchange for the possibility of indemnity from prosecution). The judge told Ngcobo that he had read his victim impact statement, and he knows it's hard, but Wandile would want him to support and live for her younger sister. Addressing the gallery consisting of community members, who have always come into court in numbers, Judge Harrison said: 'Support each other, be there for all children in the community so we don't have a repeat of what he had here.'
