Ms Phindile Mokoena (50), who died at the hands of her male partner, Jabulane Lephoto (42) in Standerton two years ago on May 2, 2021, was tragically killed in a domestic-related incident. On October 17, 2023, Lephoto was found guilty and given a sentence by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, which was sitting in Delmas.

The court heard how the sad event unfolded on that fateful day as Police investigation revealed. It is said that a heated argument ensued between the accused and the victim which finally turned physical. Lephoto is said to have then assaulted Mokoena several times with a certain object (not revealed) which ended Mokoena’s life.

Thereafter he went into hiding until dedicated members of police investigators sniffed him out and arrested him on 02 January 2023.

He was denied bail until his conviction and then sentenced to an effective 25 years imprisonment.

The SAPS management in the province of Mpumalanga has welcomed the hefty sentence and appreciated the collaborative efforts by the Investigation team, the Prosecution team as well and the Judiciary that culminated into this commendable sentence which will hopefully serve as a deterrence to other perpetrators of Gender-Based-Violence and Femicide.