The murder trial against the young man who allegedly stabbed one of his teachers, Matefo Mphosela, to death in Soutpan has been struck off the roll for further investigation. The suspect, Simphiwe Mondli (22), is out on bail.
Mojalefa Senokoatsane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Free State and Northern Cape, said additional information discovered by the state led to there being no pending case against the accused.
“The police are busy with their investigations regarding this additional information, and when they have completed their investigations the matter will be enrolled into the court roll for commencement of the trial,” he said.
At the time the incident occurred, Mondli was a Gr. 12 learner at the Kagisano Combined School, and was taught by Mphosela. He successfully passed his National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination in 2022 after writing whilst in custody.
Mphosela reportedly died on 20 October, after Mondli had allegedly stabbed her with a knife. She was purportedly attacked at a residence she had been renting in the Ikgomotseng township. The motive for the attack is the subject of the ongoing investigation.
According to the police, Mphosela succumbed to her injuries in a ambulance that was transporting her to the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein.
The deceased had a stab wound to the left side of her upper body.
Mphosela’s killing shocked residents of the town of Soutpan. She taught Physical Science to learners of Kagisano from Gr. 10 to Gr. 12, and Natural Science to learners in Gr. 9 and Gr. 10. She also served as the school’s evaluation coordinator.
Mphosela has been credited for her contribution towards the school achieving good marks in Physical Sciences for three consecutive years: 85% in 2019; 82% in 2020; and 84,2% in 2021.
The late Free State MEC for Education, Tate Makgoe, described Mphosela as a good samaritan, on account of her going the extra mile in helping learners who struggled with learning and study material after working hours at the property she rented.
