A Sharpeville father who brutally murdered his six-year-old daughter after becoming jealous of her mother’s new relationship has been sentenced to life imprisonment, reports Sedibeng Ster.

Lopang Donald Phele was sentenced at the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court yesterday (September 17) for the murder of Keamogetswe ‘Kea’ Mokemane in 2025.

Kea sustained more than 20 stab wounds during the attack. Her body was discovered on October 8, after Phele fled the scene. He handed himself over to the Sharpeville SAPS the following day.

The child’s mother, Nthabiseng Mokemane, previously revealed that she had received a disturbing SMS from Phele the night before the murder, telling her it would be her ‘last time seeing the child’.

The case, which began in October 2025, was postponed several times while DNA evidence was being processed. It was later determined that the child had not been raped.

Phele previously told the court that he was not a violent person by nature and asked to be given an opportunity to go free so that he could ask members of the community for forgiveness.

During sentencing, the magistrate said Phele’s motive of jealousy over the mother’s new relationship did not justify the gruesome murder of his daughter.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Democratic Alliance Women’s Network (DAWN) West Constituency Chairperson Dinah Rabi said justice had been served for Kea, her family and the community.

“We have a reason to smile today. We have been following this case from the beginning, and we are happy that justice has been served.”

DA councillor Thandi Mthimkhulu said she was overjoyed by the sentence.

“This is exactly what we have been calling for from the beginning, that the court imposes the maximum sentence allowed by law, ensuring that the guilty party is held fully accountable for his actions.

“Enough is enough. Every woman and child has the right to feel safe and protected. Silence is not an option.”

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