Key Points
-
North West man gets 20 years for girlfriend’s murder.
-
He shot her after a violent outburst at a tavern.
-
Court denounced gender-based violence in sentencing.
A 45-year-old man from the North West, Botman Mphahlele, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Patricia Sabole, and an additional five years for the attempted murder of their friend, Phillemon Kedige. The court ruled that the sentences will run concurrently.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the incident occurred on October 29, 2023, after the trio attended a local event.
On their way home, Mphahlele allegedly became violent with Sabole, attempting to assault her in a combi before being stopped by Kedige and others.
North West man gets 20 years for brutal tavern shooting
When they reached Rustenburg, the group visited a nearby tavern, where the violence escalated.
Mphahlele drew a firearm and shot Sabole twice—once in the neck and once in the head—killing her instantly.
He then turned the gun on Kedige, wounding him before fleeing the scene. Police quickly apprehended Mphahlele, and he later pleaded not guilty in court.
NPA spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya said the brutality of the act shocked the local community and was a stark reminder of the ongoing gender-based violence crisis in South Africa.
Court denounces gender-based violence in harsh sentence
During sentencing, State Prosecutor Orlinah Mputla emphasized that the accused had a duty to protect his partner, not harm her.
She described gender-based violence as a societal plague, arguing that crimes like this erode community trust and lead to vigilante justice.
“The killing of women and children remains a severe issue in our country,” Mputla said. “We must send a strong message through the courts that such behavior will not be tolerated.”
Mphahlele will serve 20 years behind bars for the murder of Sabole, who had once trusted him as her life partner.
The case adds to the mounting calls for justice and stricter measures against gender-based violence in South Africa.
