Man Sentenced to Life for Sister’s Murder After Abuse Claims

  57-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of his sister. This was following an accusation that he had abused their mother. The Free State High Court in Bloemfontein also handed him an additional 15 years for the attempted murder of his stepmother.    

Key Points:

• The court sentenced Mofihli Rapabi to life for the murder of his sister, Sophie Buthelezi.

• The court also gave him an additional 15 years for the attempted murder of his stepmother.

• The court concluded that Mofihli acted with intent to kill, rejecting his self-defense claim.

The Crime and Confrontation

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson for the Free State division, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, explained the incidence. It unfolded when Mofihli Pickson Rapabi traveled from Lenasia, Johannesburg. He visited his 81-year-old stepmother, Nozizathu Rapabi, in Poeleng village, Qwaqwa.

Upon his arrival, Nozizathu welcomed him and prepared a meal. Sophie Buthelezi, 46, who was also visiting at the time, joined them in the kitchen. A confrontation broke out when Sophie failed to greet Mofihli, prompting their mother to ask about the situation. Sophie then accused Mofihli of abusing their mother, which led him to draw a firearm and shoot her in the forehead. A second shot followed, hitting her on the side of her head. After briefly leaving the room, Mofihli returned and shot his stepmother in the neck. He fired a final execution-style shot into Sophie’s mouth before leaving the scene. Despite her injuries, Nozizathu managed to crawl to the gate to seek help.

Mofihli’s Defense and Court Proceedings

During the trial, Mofihli pleaded not guilty, asserting that he acted in self-defense after Sophie threatened to burn him with boiling water. He claimed that he accidentally shot his stepmother during a struggle for the firearm.

However, under cross-examination, Mofihli admitted that he shot Sophie while she was unarmed and failed to provide a legal justification for his actions. He also acknowledged that he was aware of the illegality of firing a warning shot but chose to do so anyway.

Court’s Verdict and Conclusion

The court rejected Mofihli’s defense and concluded that his actions amounted to an execution-style murder. The judges agreed with the State’s argument, which emphasized that Mofihli acted with intent to kill, particularly in the context of the confrontation over the abuse allegations.