LIFE AND AN ADDITIONAL 33 YEARS' IMPRISONMENT IMPOSED ON EX-BOYFRIEND FOR DOUBLE MURDER

Polokwane, Limpopo - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of life imprisonment plus an additional 33 years imposed by the Polokwane High Court on Madimabe Mishack Sebelebele (30) from Smashblock Village in Northam, for murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), and theft.

Sebelebele pleaded not guilty to all charges.

During the trial, the court heard that on 04 June 2021, the accused confronted the complainant regarding an alleged affair with his girlfriend, Nthabeleng Mohale, with whom he was in a romantic relationship. He hit the complainant with a beer bottle and stabbed him with a knife. Thereafter, he went in search of Nthabeleng Mohale and upon finding her, he stabbed her to death.

In a separate incident on the same day, the accused was at a drinking place with the second deceased, Matome Philip Maoto, when an argument ensued between them. Maoto walked away, but the accused followed him, stabbed him to death with a knife, and robbed him of his cellphone. Members of the community called the police, and the accused was arrested.

During sentencing proceedings, State Advocate Envar Robin Hartnick submitted that at the time of her death, Nthabeleng had applied for a protection order against the accused as she feared for her life. He further submitted that the accused committed the second murder while on bail and that the attacks were violent and brutal. The State argued that the primary aims of sentencing are prevention and deterrence and that society must be protected from persons such as the accused. The State concluded that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences.

In handing down sentence, the court remarked that South Africa is among the countries with the highest murder rates in the world and that victims are not just names in an indictment but real people who occupy space in this world. The court stated that there must be consequences for unlawfully taking a life and that the accused showed little respect for human life.

The court sentenced Sebelebele as follows:

- Count 1: Assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm - 5 years' imprisonment

- Count 2: Murder of Nthabeleng Mohale - Life imprisonment

- Count 3: Murder of Matome Philip Maoto - 25 years' imprisonment

- Count 4: Theft - 3 years' imprisonment

Welcoming the sentence, the Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Adv. Ivy Thenga, said, “It can never be overemphasised how important human life is, and we will be vigorous in our pursuit of such cases to serve as a deterrent to would-be murderers.” The DPP further commended the prosecution and investigation team for their excellent work.

Issued by:

Mashudu Malabi

Regional Spokesperson

Limpopo Division

National Prosecuting Authority