the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court sentenced Malefetsane Alfred Motloung (37) to 20 years imprisonment on 04 September 2024, for murder of his living partner.

It was testified during trial that in the early hours of 29 October 2023, the accused was visiting a nearby farm of Dreiden in the district of Bethlehem with his partner, Mantwa Mokoena (29), for a drinking spree.

It was further discovered that a fight broke between the two, and the people that were with this couple tried to stop them. They reported that in self-defence, the victim threw the accused with a beer bottle. After some time, they left to their place in Morning Glory Farm.

On their way, the accused started to assault the deceased, kicking her and ending up breaking her ribs. He left her under the tree on a grass at Grootfontein Farm. He went to wake up the supervisor and tell him they had a problem with his partner. They walked together to the scene of the crime.

On arrival at the scene, the supervisor informed the police, who came and a
rrested the suspect. During the preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the victim was also having a protection order against the accused. He used to assault her, and she opened a case at Rouxville SAPS in October 2023. A year later, he killed her.

He was detained until he was sentenced for the murder of his partner. The case was investigated by WO Jan Taljaard of the Bethlehem detectives.

Source: South African Police Service