A former attorney Thubelihle Sbonakaliso Mpisi, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of murdering his girlfriend and attempting to conceal the crime by burning her body.
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The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg. found that the accused intentionally killed his partner before setting her body alight in an effort to destroy evidence and obstruct the investigation. The sentence marks the conclusion of a case that highlighted the devastating impact of gender-based violence and the lengths some perpetrators go to evade justice.
Murder and cover-up
Evidence presented during the trial showed that the couple had been in a romantic relationship before an altercation turned fatal. Following the murder, Thubelihle transported the victim’s body to another location, where he set it on fire in an attempt to conceal the crime and mislead investigators.
However, forensic evidence, witness testimony and the police investigation ultimately linked him to the killing, leading to his arrest and prosecution. The court rejected his version of events after finding the State had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
According to IOL, Thubelihle was convicted of the murder of Mahlako Malebo Rabalao, as well as malicious injury to property and defeating the administration of justice. He has been in custody since his arrest on July 28, 2023, after abandoning his bail application.
Mahlako’s charred remains were found in her Mercedes-Benz on March 9, 2023, near her home in Midrand, reported the publication.
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Court hands down life imprisonment
In delivering its judgment, the court described the offence as particularly serious, noting that the attempt to burn Mahlako’s body demonstrated a calculated effort to frustrate the administration of justice.
The attorney was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, with additional prison terms imposed for related offences. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
Justice for the victim
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the conviction and sentence, saying the outcome reinforces the justice system’s commitment to holding perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide accountable.
The prosecution also commended the investigating officers, forensic experts and legal team whose work secured the conviction.
NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said that during the trial, Senior State Advocate Michelle Bayat argued that although medical experts were unable to determine the exact cause of death because of the extensive burning of the body, the evidence established beyond reasonable doubt that Rabalao had died before the fire was started.
Ongoing fight against GBVF
The case serves as another reminder of South Africa’s ongoing struggle with gender-based violence and femicide. Authorities continue to encourage victims of abuse and those at risk to seek help and report threats before violence escalates.
The NPA has reiterated that it remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes against women face the full might of the law.
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