Kabelo Masoabi
A pastor from St John Church in Matlameng, Leribe, accused of murdering her two children, remains out on bail pending a directive from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on whether the matter will proceed to trial.
The 28-year-old ’Marelebohile Khoarai appeared before the Leribe Magistrate’s Court this week for a preliminary hearing. However, Magistrate Mapitso Rantja said no trial date could be set as the DPP has not yet formally filed charges, as required by judicial procedures.
The matter was postponed to 29 April 2026 for an update to allow the DPP to finalise the charging process.
Khoarai was granted bail on 16 December last year by the Northern Division of the High Court in Tšifa-li-Mali, Leribe. She was released on her own recognisance with a M5 000 property surety, under conditions that include reporting to court whenever summoned.
During her bail application, Khoarai told the court that she suffers from severe depression and that medication she was taking affected her memory. She appeared in court wearing white church attire and a white headscarf, and was observed murmuring throughout the proceedings.
According to police, the incident occurred on the night of 17 November 2025, when Khoarai allegedly stabbed her two children, aged two months and seven years, to death with a sharp object. Police reports state that she claimed to have seen demons when she looked at them.
Detective Police Constable Tumelo Ntabanyane of the Criminal Investigation Division said police received a report of deceased persons at Matlameng the following morning and immediately attended the scene. Officers found the two children lying dead inside the house, with signs of a violent attack. The bodies were later taken to a mortuary.
Police investigations established that the children were attacked while asleep and that Khoarai later surrendered herself to the police.
Senior Inspector Lebohang Sekonyela, the officer commanding Pitseng Police Station, described the incident as horrifying and urged people suffering from depression to seek counselling and professional help.
The children were buried on 27 December 2025 at their family home in Ha Liphapang, Matlameng, during a funeral attended by their mother and members of the St John Church. Police said Khoarai is the founder of the church in Matlameng.