Tzaneen man gets life for girlfriend’s murder
Golden Mbhalati was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Tzaneen Regional Court for murdering his girlfriend in 2021 with a work-issued firearm.
TZANEEN – Golden Mbhalati (50) has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Tzaneen Regional Court on Wednesday, April 9, for the murder of his 51-year-old girlfriend in February 2021.
According to police reports, Mbhalati was on duty at a clinic in Bellview when he booked out a company-issued firearm and left his post. He then proceeded to his home, where he asked the victim, his girlfriend, to accompany him to pick fruit outside their residence.
“Before they could reach the fruit trees, the accused dragged the victim into nearby bushes, shot her in the upper body, and fled the scene on foot, leaving the firearm behind,” said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng.
Thakeng explained that a colleague of Mbhalati grew suspicious after noticing his unexplained absence and reported it to their employer. Meanwhile, the victim’s son became concerned when his mother failed to return home with the accused.
“While on his way to check on her, the child discovered his mother lying unconscious on the ground with visible gunshot wounds and immediately notified the police,” Thakeng said.
Emergency Medical Services were also called to the scene and pronounced the victim dead upon arrival.
Further investigation confirmed that the firearm used in the crime belonged to the security company and had been checked out by Mbhalati shortly before the incident.
The case was assigned to Detective Constable Lerato Rampedi of Bolobedu Detective Services, who led the investigation. Mbhalati was arrested in 2022 and denied bail. He was, however, later released by the court in 2023.
He was found guilty of murder in March and was sentenced to life imprisonment on April 9, 2025.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the sentence and commended Constable Rampedi for her relentless efforts in securing justice.
“This sentence sends a strong message that violence against women will not be tolerated. We applaud the investigator for ensuring the perpetrator received the punishment he deserves,” said Hadebe.
