Lesotho national receives life sentence despite confessing to girlfriend's murder - IOL
A Lesotho national has been sentenced to life imprisonment after he was convicted of the brutal murder of his girlfriend.
The Mpumalanga High Court in Delmas has sentenced 29-year-old Khotsang Saole for the brutal killing of his 28-year-old girlfriend, Matsepo Mohale.
Saole, a Lesotho national, was also convicted of contravening the Immigration Act after investigations revealed he was in South Africa illegally.
The court sentenced him to life imprisonment today after he pleaded guilty under section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
During proceedings, the court heard that on August 17, 2025 the couple had a heated argument after Soale accused Mohale of cheating on him. He confessed to stabbing her in the neck several times during the argument.
A neighbour came to the couple's residence in Kinross, Nkangala District, to investigate after hearing Mohale scream, and found her lying on the ground. She also called out to Saole while he fled from the scene.
The police were later called to the scene and found Saole following investigations. He was found in possession of the knife used to kill Mohale, and his clothes had bloodstains. More investigation also established that Saole was in the country illegally.
The post-mortem examination confirmed that the cause of death was a stab wound to the neck.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, the State presented a Victim Impact Statement from Mohale’s family.
The victim’s family described the devastating and lasting impact of her murder and said they would have to live with the pain of losing their loved one and remain haunted by the brutal way she was killed.
Prosecutor Amos Mtsweni urged the court to impose a severe sentence. He argued that the murder was committed in the context of a domestic relationship and that Saole had shown no regard for Mohale’s life because, after he stabbed her, he left her lying on the ground and fled.
Mtsweni added that an appropriate and severe sentence was necessary to deter like-minded offenders and to send a message that violence against women would not be tolerated.
Saole was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and five years’ imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act; both sentences will run concurrently. The court also declared Saole unfit to possess a firearm.
Nyuswa said the NPA welcomed the court's decision for a harsh sentence, as it is a significant affirmation of the criminal justice system's commitment to holding perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide accountable.
"The NPA remains resolute in vigorously prosecuting perpetrators of GBVF and will continue working with law-enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that offenders are held accountable."
Nyuswa added that violence against women, especially in intimate relationships, has no place in society. She reaffirmed the NPA's commitment to pursue justice on behalf of victims and their families.
