Teen sentenced to 30 years for murdering girlfriend
According to police, Fakude had invited his girlfriend to spend Valentine's Day with him, but she did not meet him.
A teenager has been sentenced to 30 years’ direct imprisonment for the murder of his 17-year-old girlfriend in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
KwaZulu-Natal police said the Vryheid Regional Court sentenced Asanda Fakude on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to the murder, which took place at Gegund Farm in the Vryheid policing precinct on February 16, 2026.
According to police, Fakude had invited his girlfriend to spend Valentine’s Day with him, but she did not meet him.
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Two days later, he confronted the teenager, allegedly angered by her failure to honour the invitation. The confrontation turned violent and he repeatedly assaulted her until she died.
Police said Fakude then concealed her body in nearby bushes.
On February 18, Fakude contacted the Paulpietersburg SAPS detective commander and confessed to the crime.
He was arrested immediately and later led police to where he had hidden the victim’s body during a formal pointing-out.
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He was charged with murder and pleaded guilty in the Vryheid Regional Court.
The court sentenced him to 30 years’ direct imprisonment for the murder.
