KOMANI – Mokoena Selebalo (38), an undocumented foreign national from Lesotho, has been sentenced to two life terms after being convicted of the brutal murders of a farmworker and a farm co-owner in Komani, with the Komani Regional Court handing down the sentence on 27 May.

According to police spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, the court heard that Selebalo violently attacked Tsoanamatsie Lehlohonolo (39), his colleague, with an axe at a farm in Komani on 13 May 2025.

She said that Lehlohonolo’s body was discovered the following day by his girlfriend.

Mgolodela said that Selebalo disappeared, following the death of Lehlohonolo.

Shortly after, in the same month (May 2025), police recovered the body of Khwezi Sishuba (73), who was the co-owner of the farm that employed Selebalo and Lehlohonolo.

“Following a thorough investigation, Selebalo was traced and found on a mountain not far from the farm, and was arrested on 26 May 2025,” said Mgolodela.

She further said that the State relied on forensic evidence, which positively linked Selebalo to the two incidents.

Mgolodela said that it also transpired that Selebalo was an undocumented foreign national, and was also convicted of contravening the Immigration Act.

“The court sentenced Selebalo to life imprisonment for each murder, and two years for entering South Africa without a valid permit,” said Mgolodela.

“He also received an additional two years of direct imprisonment for staying in South Africa without a permit. He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.”

Mgolodela said that all sentences would run concurrently.

The District Commissioner Major General Rudolph Adolph lauded the crime scene experts and the Investigating Officer for their sterling work.

“Those who commit such heinous crimes deserve hefty sentences,” said Adolph.

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