HENNENMAN – A Lesotho national who fled South Africa after murdering his girlfriend in 2023 has been sentenced to 25 years’ direct imprisonment.

Katleho Molibeli (31) was sentenced by the Free State High Court sitting in Welkom on 19 June. He received a further 12 months’ imprisonment for being an illegal immigrant in South Africa.

The conviction follows extensive investigative work, cross-border cooperation and an extradition process after he fled to the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Members of Hennenman police responded to a complaint on 17 August 2023 at a residence in Phomolong, Hennenman. They found an adult female lying in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor after she had been stabbed with a sharp object.

Before she died, the victim identified Molibeli as the person who had stabbed her. He fled the scene immediately after the attack.

During the investigation, bloodstained clothing linked to Molibeli was recovered at a nearby residence. The occupant confirmed that he had been at the premises shortly before fleeing to Lesotho.

The case was assigned to Sergeant Sethabela Moroanyane of the Hennenman Detective Service, who followed up on all leads and information relating to the whereabouts of the accused. Molibeli was traced and arrested in Lesotho on 27 June 2024.

Following the completion of extradition proceedings, he was extradited to South Africa on 10 December 2024 to stand trial.

The matter was enrolled before the Free State High Court sitting in Welkom, where Molibeli was found guilty and sentenced on 19 June.

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