Chris Hani District Commissioner, Major General Rudolph Adolph, has welcomed the sentencing of 38-year-old Mokoena Selebalo to two life terms by the Komani Regional Court on 27 May 2026 for the murders of two people in Komani in 2025.
Selebalo was also convicted for being in South Africa illegally.
The court heard that on 13 May 2025, Selebalo violently attacked 39-year-old Tsoanamatsie Lehlohonolo with an axe at a farm in Komani where both men were employed. Lehlohonolo’s body was discovered by his girlfriend the following day. Following the murder, Selebalo disappeared from the farm.
Later in May 2025, police also recovered the body of 73-year-old Khwezi Sishuba, the co-owner of the farm that employed both Selebalo and Lehlohonolo.
Following an intensive investigation, police traced and arrested Selebalo on 26 May 2025 while he was hiding in nearby mountains not far from the farm. Forensic evidence positively linked him to both murders.
Investigations further revealed that Selebalo was an undocumented foreign national, leading to additional convictions for contravening the Immigration Act.
The court sentenced Selebalo to life imprisonment for each murder, along with two years for entering South Africa without a valid permit and another two years for remaining in the country illegally. All sentences will run concurrently.
He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Major General Adolph praised the investigating officer and crime scene experts for their dedication and professionalism during the investigation.
“Those who commit such heinous crimes deserve hefty sentences,” said Major General Adolph.
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