Forty-five-year-old Sibusiso Mahlalela has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his female friend, Pretty Fikile Mokone.
The incident dates back to August 2024 in Sinqobile village, Barberton. The pair were reportedly in a domestic relationship and living together.
According to a police report, the couple was returning home from a tavern when Mahlalela received a phone call from an unknown person, sparking an argument after Mokone accused him of infidelity.
“During the altercation, Mahlalela assaulted Mokone, striking her multiple times with a wooden plank. The couple later returned to their residence, where Mokone complained of severe headaches and said she would seek medical assistance at a nearby clinic the following day,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Mpho Nonyane-Mpe.
“While on their way to the clinic, Mokone requested water, which Mahlalela went to fetch. Upon his return, he found her lying unresponsive on the ground,” Nonyane-Mpe added.
Mahlalela allegedly concealed Mokone’s body in nearby bushes for the remainder of the day before reporting the incident to police, where he confessed to the assault and was arrested.
In court, Mahlalela pleaded not guilty, claiming he had no intention to kill the deceased.
“However, the State presented compelling evidence, corroborated by photographic exhibits and a post-mortem report, which confirmed that Mokone died from multiple injuries sustained during the assault,” said Nonyane-Mpe.
The court rejected Mahlalela’s version and found him guilty of murder, sentencing him to life imprisonment.