A Limpopo man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his girlfriend in 2024.
The Nebo regional court handed down the sentence to Themba Mashiloane on Tuesday after finding him guilty of murder.
Police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said Refiloe Letshedi was discovered dead on the evening of September 26 2024 in Thabeng village. Members of the Nebo-Jane Furse tracking team were immediately called to the scene and began investigations.
The case was later assigned to Det-Sgt Kabelo Shokane, who led the investigation. Although the suspect was initially unknown, police work uncovered that Letshedi had been killed by her boyfriend.
Mashiloane was arrested after he was found in possession of the victim’s cellphone.
Ledwaba said during the investigation it had emerged that Letshedi wanted to end the relationship, but Mashiloane did not.
He remained in custody throughout the trial after his bail application was successfully opposed.
Following a series of court appearances at the Nebo magistrate’s court, the matter was transferred to the Nebo regional court, where Mashiloane was ultimately convicted.
The court found that the state had presented sufficient evidence to prove Mashiloane’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt, leading to his life sentence.
Limpopo police commissioner Lt-Gen Thembi Hadebe welcomed the sentence, describing it as a strong message against violent crime.
TimesLIVE
Mmatumelo Lebjane
www.timeslive.co.za
