The Polokwane High Court has sentenced 48-year-old Nathaniel Molatelo Mokgehle to 20 years of direct imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend, Mokgadi Julia Mohlaela (41). Mokgehle, a resident of Sekonye Village in the Botlokwa policing area, was also handed a six-month sentence for malicious damage to property. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
The court proceedings revealed that Mohlaela had previously opened a case of malicious damage to property against Mokgehle. At the time of the murder, the accused was still attending court proceedings related to that specific case.
The fatal incident occurred on 8 June 2025 at approximately 16:00 at the residence of the accused’s mother in Sekonye Village. The deceased was at the house speaking to Mokgehle’s mother about her intention to end the relationship due to alleged abuse.
During the ensuing confrontation, Mokgehle produced a knife and repeatedly stabbed the victim. Mohlaela attempted to flee the house, but the accused chased her and continued the attack until she collapsed. The accused’s mother attempted to intervene but was unable to stop the assault and called upon community members for assistance. However, the victim had already succumbed to her injuries by the time help arrived. Emergency Medical Services personnel certified her dead at the scene.
Following the attack, Mokgehle fled the scene. The investigating officer, Sergeant Vhusani Eric Tshihanyise of the Botlokwa Detectives, immediately initiated a manhunt with the assistance of the community.
Later that night, the suspect contacted the investigating officer to express his wish to surrender, citing fear of retaliation from community members. Arrangements were made for him to hand himself over safely, and he was subsequently arrested.
Mokgehle made his first court appearance at the Morebeng Magistrate’s Court on 9 June 2025. His bail application was opposed, and he remained in custody. The matter was later transferred to the Polokwane High Court, where the trial commenced on 2 March 2026 and concluded on 4 March 2026, resulting in his conviction and the subsequent sentencing.