VEREENIGING.- In a case that sent shockwaves across the Vaal Triangle, Sharpeville father, Lopang Donald Phele, was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court yesterday for the brutal murder of his daughter Keamogetswe ‘Kea’ Mokemane (6) in 2025.

Mokemane sustained over 20 stab wounds during the ordeal. Her body was discovered on October 8, after Phele fled the scene.

Phele handed himself over at the Sharpeville SAPS the following day.

The child’s mother, Nthabiseng Mokemane, revealed she had received a disturbing SMS from the father of her child the night before the incident, stating it would be her “last time seeing the child”.

Since the beginning of the court proceedings in October 2025, the case had been postponed multiple times due to DNA evidence. It was later determined that the child had not been raped.

Previously, Phele said that he was not a violent person by nature and asked for the opportunity to be set free so that he could ask for forgiveness from the members of the community.

During the sentencing, the magistrate stated that Phele’s motive of jealousy of 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 was served for the little girl, 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 that 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.”