LESOTHO FUGITIVE JAILED FOR 40 YEARS FOR JEALOUSY-FUELLED MURDER

12 November 2025

LESOTHO FUGITIVE JAILED FOR 40 YEARS FOR JEALOUSY-FUELLED MURDER

Sterkspruit, Eastern Cape – The Sterkspruit Regional Court has sentenced Simosakhe Polisa (33) to an effective 40 years’ imprisonment for the brutal murder of Zwelakhe Rasmeni (36) and the attempted murder of his estranged wife, Nandipha Thotho (37). The offences were committed on 24 March 2020, in Mokhesi, near Sterkspruit. On that day, the accused followed his estranged wife to a local tavern where she was in the company of her new partner, Rasmeni. A commotion broke out after Polisa confronted them. When the pair left the tavern, Polisa ambushed them along the way, stabbing Thotho four times before turning on Rasmeni and inflicting more than ten stab wounds that led to his death. He then fled the scene and escaped to Lesotho, where he remained until his arrest earlier this year with the assistance of Interpol.

During the trial, Polisa pleaded not guilty and claimed he had acted in self-defence. In mitigation, his defence argued that he was a first-time offender and had children with the complainant. In response, State Prosecutor Anele Magibile contended that the attack was brutal and premeditated, and that the accused posed a danger to society. “There is no evidence that the accused supports his children or that he is their primary caregiver. While he may be a first-time offender, he deliberately entered the Republic illegally and went on to commit grave crimes,” said Magibile. Medical evidence in the form of a J88 report revealed that the victims’ wounds were on their backs, proving that they had been ambushed.

The court found the evidence compelling and sentenced Polisa to 15 years’ imprisonment for murder and 25 years for attempted murder. It was also established that he was in South Africa illegally, for which he was fined R6 000, or six months’ imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act. In addition, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm, and a deportation order was issued to take effect after he has served his sentence. The court ordered the sentences to run consecutively, resulting in an effective 40-year term of imprisonment.

Welcoming the sentence, the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Barry Madolo, commended the prosecution team and investigating officers for their diligence. “This sentence sends a strong message that acts of gender-based violence and cross-border criminality will not be tolerated. The NPA remains committed to ensuring justice for victims of domestic violence and holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of where they may try to hide,” said Mr Madolo.

Issued by:

Luxolo Tyali

Regional Spokesperson

Eastern Cape Division

National Prosecuting Authority

Tel: 047 501 2630 |

Email: ltyali@npa.gov.za

Enquiries: Nokuthula Makupula

Tel: 068 268 2473