POLOKWANE – Lesetja Mogau Chaba (39) on Friday (October 15) appeared before the Limpopo High Court: Polokwane Division to hear his fate in the murder trial of his wife, Lerato.

According to a statement by police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, Lesetja tried to make Lerato’s death look like a suicide.

“The court found that on January 25, 2019, the accused murdered his wife by hanging her with a rope in their RDP house in Lebowakgomo Section S. He thereafter left and went to his parents’ house at Seleteng Ga-Mphahlele. While at his parents’ house, he contacted his neighbours, alleging that he is trying to contact his wife and there is no response,” Mojapelo explained.

He said the neighbour found Lerato’s body hanging from the roof.

“Following a thorough investigation by Det WO Nkhulu Makgoba, the deceased’s husband was linked to the incident and he was arrested for murder,” Mojapelo added.

Lesetja was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.

Provincial police commissioner Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe applauded Makgoba’s hard work and welcomed the sentence. 

“As we are currently implementing vigorous plans to fight the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide, this sentence will send a clear message that the police are more than determined to crack any such cases and bring the culprits to book,” concluded Hadebe.