Moorosi Tsiane
THE sentencing of a 41-year-old Thaba-Tseka man, convicted of murdering his three-year-old son by stabbing him 21 times on 13 October 2018, has been postponed to 29 April 2025 due to an incomplete psychiatric report.
Reli Letuka, of Khohlo-Ntso Bokong on the outskirts of Thaba-Tseka, was found guilty of murder by Justice Tšeliso Mokoko in February 2025.
His sentencing was initially scheduled for 13 March 2025. However, at the request of Crown Counsel, Advocate (Adv) Thapelo Mokuku, the judge ordered a psychiatric assessment of Letuka before delivering the sentence.
When the court reconvened on Thursday, psychologist Khahliso Mokhauli informed Justice Mokoko that the report was not ready, as she had yet to visit Letuka’s community.
“My Lord, I could not submit the report today as expected because I need more time to assess the accused and compile an accurate report. I still have to visit his community. I believe the report will be completed by 24 March 2025. However, I require financial assistance from the court’s Registrar, as our ministry is facing resource challenges,” Ms Mokhauli said.
Justice Mokoko then postponed the sentencing to 29 April 2025.
“The psychologist has requested more time to complete her assessment, citing the need for resources and a visit to the accused’s community. The court cannot proceed with sentencing without this report, as it would not serve the interests of justice. Therefore, the matter is postponed to 29 April 2025,” Justice Mokoko ruled.
The trial began on 10 February 2025, with Letuka pleading guilty to the murder charge, despite his lawyer, Advocate Tšebeletso Motluli, advising him to plead not guilty due to concerns over his mental state.
Justice Mokoko rejected the defence’s argument, revoked Letuka’s bail, and postponed the case to allow both parties to prepare for trial.
When the trial commenced two days later, the Crown called its first witness, Mapheello Malube, a neighbour of the accused.
Ms Malube testified that on the morning of 14 October 2018, she discovered the body of Lebohang Letuka in her vegetable garden while emptying a bucket.
“At first, I thought Lebohang was sleeping. I went to his parents’ house to inform them. I found his older brother playing outside and asked if the child in my garden was Lebohang. He confirmed it was him but said he wasn’t sleeping—he was dead because their father had killed him,” she recounted.
Still in shock, she rushed to another neighbour’s house but struggled to explain what had happened. Instead, she called out Letuka’s name. A group of neighbours then accompanied her back to the accused’s home, where his older son reiterated that their father had killed Lebohang.
The community alerted the area chief, Ntšekhe Ntšekhe, who mobilized nearby villages to search for Letuka. He was eventually apprehended in Ha Nkokoane.
“The villagers who found him waited for the police, who later took him into custody. When asked why he had killed his son, he admitted the child had been crying for food late at night and making too much noise. He then retrieved the murder weapon—a three-star Okapi knife—from the roof of his hut and handed it over to the police,” Ms Malube testified.
The Crown presented five additional witnesses, including Chief Ntšekhe, Head Chief Seephephe Mahao of Ha Nkokoane, the accused’s uncle Matiase Mokube, villager Tsepe Lekooa (who helped capture Letuka), and Police Constable Hlehlisi.
All witnesses corroborated the events, and the defence did not cross-examine them. Chief Ntšekhe testified that he examined the child’s body before the police arrived and counted 21 stab wounds.
After reviewing the evidence, Justice Mokoko briefly adjourned before delivering his ruling.
“The question is whether the charges fit the accused’s actions, despite his guilty plea. The evidence overwhelmingly points to the accused as the perpetrator of this heinous crime. His confession does not detail the extent of the injuries, but the post-mortem report clarifies that the attack was intentional. The court, therefore, finds the accused guilty of murder,” he ruled.
In mitigation, Adv Motluli pleaded for leniency, arguing that Letuka was remorseful.
“He deeply regrets his actions, My Lord, and we humbly ask the court to show mercy in sentencing,” she said.
However, Adv Mokuku argued that a psychiatric evaluation was necessary before sentencing.
“We lack sufficient insight into the accused’s life circumstances. While we know he worked in the fields and cared for two children, we have no information about the mother’s whereabouts or involvement. A psychiatric assessment is necessary to ensure a fair sentence,” he submitted.
Justice Mokoko agreed and initially postponed sentencing to 13 March 2025. However, with the psychiatric report still incomplete, the final sentencing date has now been set for 29 April 2025.