{"id":296921,"date":"2026-05-29T11:24:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T09:24:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/undocumented-lesotho-national-handed-two-life-sentences-for-komani-double-murder\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T11:24:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T09:24:39","slug":"undocumented-lesotho-national-handed-two-life-sentences-for-komani-double-murder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/undocumented-lesotho-national-handed-two-life-sentences-for-komani-double-murder\/","title":{"rendered":"Undocumented Lesotho national handed two life sentences for Komani double murder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KOMANI <\/strong>\u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said that Lehlohonolo’s body was discovered the following day by his girlfriend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mgolodela said that Selebalo disappeared, following the death of Lehlohonolo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She further said that the State relied on forensic evidence, which positively linked Selebalo to the two incidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mgolodela said that it also transpired that Selebalo was an undocumented foreign national, and was also convicted of contravening the Immigration Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

“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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mgolodela said that all sentences would run concurrently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The District Commissioner Major General Rudolph Adolph lauded the crime scene experts and the Investigating Officer for their sterling work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Those who commit such heinous crimes deserve hefty sentences,” said Adolph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ<\/strong>: Two Mpumalanga officials arrested for murder of forensic investigator<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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