Suicide claim unravelled by autopsy findings
A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to two life terms behind bars after the Northern Cape High Court in Upington found him guilty of raping and murdering his girlfriend in Rosedale.
Nkosinathi Joseph Kayo was convicted on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, on charges of rape, murder and defeating the ends of justice. The court imposed life imprisonment for the rape conviction, a further life sentence for murder, and an additional two years for defeating the ends of justice. The latter sentence will run concurrently with the two life terms. Kayo was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The case dates back to 30 January 2022, when Kayo arrived at the Rosedale police station and reported that his 33-year-old girlfriend, Cynthia Lelani Julies, had allegedly taken her own life by ingesting a poisonous substance. Investigators initially opened an inquest docket based on his account.
Investigation exposed deadly deception
However, the probe took a decisive turn when autopsy results revealed that Julies had not died from poisoning at all. The post-mortem examination confirmed that the true cause of death was strangulation, directly contradicting Kayo's version of events. The docket was subsequently converted to a murder investigation.
Detectives tracked Kayo to Coligny in the North West province, where he was apprehended. He appeared in court and lodged a formal bail application, which prosecutors successfully opposed. Kayo remained in custody from the time of his arrest through to the conclusion of proceedings this week.
"No stone will be left unturned to protect the vulnerable persons of society in the ZF Mgcawu District."
The ZF Mgcawu District Commissioner, Major General Monica Sebili, praised Detective Sergeant Jacobus Visagie for his unwavering commitment to the investigation, which ultimately ensured that justice was served for Julies and her family.
Sebili directed a firm warning at perpetrators of domestic violence across the district, making clear that law enforcement would pursue every avenue available to safeguard those most at risk. The successful prosecution sends a powerful signal that attempts to disguise violent crimes will not escape the scrutiny of dedicated investigators.
