Swift conviction,life term in GBVF killing

In just a little over a year, the National Prosecuting Authority in Limpopo has secured a conviction and life sentence against Pholosho Arbitrators Mangoale for the brutal murder of his 66 year old aunt Keepye Jolina Ramogayana at Ga-Maila Mapitsane in July last year ( 2025).

Mangoale pleaded not guilty to the charge and during the trial, the Polokwane High Court heard that the deceased was at her home when a witness saw the now convicted murderer at the property carrying a garden fork.

“The accused subsequently launched a vicious attack on the deceased, fatally assaulting her with a knife and a garden fork. The deceased was later discovered lying in a pool of blood. The accused was also found at the scene,” said the NPA Limpopo on the irrefutable evidence it led to secure the conviction.

The prosecuting authority said the killer’s own mother was among key witnesses against him.

“Further evidence revealed that Mangoale’s mother was surprised to find him at home wearing blood-stained sneakers, as she believed he was in Gauteng at the time. Police were alerted, responded to the scene, and arrested the accused shortly thereafter,” said NPA Limpopo in a statement released by Regional Spokesperson Mashudu Malabi.

The victim was an active member of society who was known for being a leader in her church, advocacy as well caregiver in her immediate community and her killing, according to testimony led in aggravation of sentence, robbed not just her family but the entire community of Ga-Maila Mapitsane.

 

“During sentencing proceedings, State Advocate Malatji Matibidi led evidence in aggravation of sentence through the testimony of the deceased’s son. He described the devastating impact of the murder on the family and the broader community, explaining that they had lost a beloved mother, caregiver, and community leader. He told the court that the deceased dedicated her life to caring for orphans, assisting with the establishment of crèches, and serving her community as a priest.
The State further argued that the deceased’s advanced age warranted the imposition of a life sentence in terms of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, which provides for enhanced protection of vulnerable victims,” said Malabi.

He said through the imposition of a life sentence, the court had to send a strong deterrent message to would-be committers of Gender-based violence and femicide that the targeting of vulnerable persons will not be tolerated.

“The prosecution submitted that the murder was an act of gender-based violence and urged the court to send a strong deterrent message to those who commit such senseless and brutal crimes against women and other vulnerable members of society,” said Malabi.

“It can never be overemphasised how important human life is, and therefore we will be vigorous in our pursuit of these cases to serve as a deterrent to would-be murderers,” NPA’s Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo Advocate Ivy Thenga is quoted as saying.

The swift arrest, prosecution, conviction and sentence underscores the government’s commitment to tackling Gender-based violence and femicide notwithstanding a generally overwhelmed criminal justice system in which it usually takes years for cases to be taken to trial.