POLOKWANE – The Polokwane High Court sentenced a 30-year-old man to 25 years’ imprisonment for murder, five years for the possession of an unlicensed firearm, as well as two years’ imprisonment for the unlawful possession of ammunition.

Tebogo Masilo Sefalafala shot and killed his ex-girlfriend, Maite Mabasa (25), at her home in Lephepane village on 26 March 2019. Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe, in a statement said a manhunt was carried out and Sefalafala was arrested at his home at ga-Wally village in the Mokwakwaila policing area outside Tzaneen. The case was handled by Det WO Ronny Baloyi.

In a separate sentencing, Tshepo Lucas Mabuela (22) was sentenced by the Mokopane Regional Court to an effective 10 years imprisonment for the murder of 31-year-old, Phinius Sithole.

Ngoepe said Mabuela and Sithole were involved in a heated argument in the early hours of 24 November 2019. “The quarrel started at a local tavern in the Mookgopong area, where Mabuela stabbed the deceased several times with a knife, killing him instantly,” Ngoepe added.

The case was assigned to Det Serg Madimetja Kekana, who helped to trace down Mabuela.

The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Nneke Ledwaba welcomed the long jail sentences and commended the two investigating officers on a job well done.