SEBOKENG.- The family of Palesa Mokhele are demanding a harsh sentence for her murder. Family members, together with members from organisations against GBVF (Gender Based Violence and Femicide) such as Tosunga Baninga and community members protested outside the Sebokeng Magistrates Court last week after her boyfriend was sentenced to 10 years for her murder that took place in 2018. Following the murder, the suspect had been on the run and was only arrested in July this year. He pleaded guilty to the murder of Mokhele who left behind a son, who is now 4 years old. 
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Lebohang Mokhele, who is the deceased’s sister, said the family is not happy with the sentence taking into consideration how their sister was brutally murdered by her then boyfriend. Palesa, who was only 24 years old at the time of her death, was the last born in the family. “We never received any justice in the past two years as the perpetrator ran away until he was arrested this year. As a family we were advised not to speak with the media at time as this could have caused problems with regards to the case but there is no difference. Before the case was called in Court, I was told the perpetrator would plead guilty and a minimum sentence will be 10 years. “I asked myself how this could be as the perpetrator killed my baby sister in a horrible manner only to just to get this light sentence. “The Magistrate said the man is a threat to society and cannot be associated with the community, but still gave him a mere 10 years regardless of what he did. We are not satisfied at all as Palesa Mokhele’s family. We are really hurt by this crime, and the emotional distress he caused us. Psychologically I’m messed up and I was always crying. “One of our family members who had to go and see Palesa’s body at the mortuary had nightmares and this has affected her well-being,” said the sister. The family has vowed to contest the sentence.
