Moorosi Tsiane  

FORMER Minister of Police ‘Mampho Mokhele’s son has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and murder. 

This after Khaile Mokhele was found guilty of raping a 16-week pregnant woman before strangling her to death. 

Mokhele was found guilty by High Court judge, Justice Tšeliso Mokoko, on the two charges on Friday. He was then sentenced to 23 years for murder and 10 years for rape. 

The two sentences will run concurrently meaning, Mokhele will serve an effective 23 years in jail. 

According to the evidence led before court, Mokhele raped ‘Mamohau Matata before strangling her to death on the night of 23 December 2012 in Teyateyaneng, Ha Mokhothu. 

The trial started in July last year and Crown Counsel, Advocate Lehlanako Mofilikoane, called in six witnesses being Mosiuoa Matata who is the deceased’s husband, Detective Inspector Tobi, Police Constable Hoala, the accused’s neighbours Tšepo Kanono and Moeketsi Mosebo, and forensic scientist, Mofo Setloboko. Defence lawyer Raboloetsi Makara called only Mokhele as the witness.  

Mr Matata informed the court that his wife was 16 weeks pregnant when she was brutally murdered. 

He testified that on that day, his wife had left home to go to the salon to plait her hair. When dusk fell without her returning home and not being reachable on her mobile phone, Mr Matata said he went all out to search for her. 

He said he called the salon and was told she had long left. He called her friends and churchmates who also knew nothing of her whereabouts. It was only on the evening of the same day, at around 20:30, when he found her lying somewhere on the road surrounded by villagers. 

Crown witness Messrs Kanono and Mosebo narrated to the court about how they had tried to come to the aid of the deceased and how they had identified Khaile as the perpetrator.   

The villagers found a green t-shirt and a cap at the crime scene, with Mrs Matata lying on the ground with her legs wide open and a pair of tights and a panty near her. 

Mr Mosebo said he identified the t-shirt and cap as Khaile’s, as he had seen him earlier in the day wearing them. 

PC Hoala told the court that when they arrived at Khaile’s place, they found him lying on the bed half naked with his shoes and trousers still on. He said they arrested him, and he was later taken to the magistrate’s court where he made a  confession.  

Delivering judgement, Justice Mokoko said the court should sent a clear message that abuse of both children and women would not be tolerated. 

He said Khaile had done a horrible thing by raping and killing a pregnant woman. His sentencing should sooth the heart of the deceased’s husband who lost both a wife and the child they were expecting, Justice Mokoko said. 

“I therefore sentence you to 23 years imprisonment one one count of murder and 10 years imprisonment on one count of rape. The two sentences will run concurrently,” ruled Justice Mokoko.