The conviction comes after an incident in which Mabelane stabbed his girlfriend, Deliwe Motlolatshipi (19), at her parents' house in Mathibestad Village, near Makapanstad, on 18 March 2022.

According to the evidence presented in court, the accused visited the victim at her parent’s house at around 23:00 in the company of a male acquaintance.

He knocked, the victim answered, and he began accusing her of cheating as soon as she opened the door for him. After beating her with open hands, Thapelo attempted to stab their child who was sleeping on the bed by pulling a knife from his pocket.

As Motlolatshipi attempted to block the knife, it wounded her hand. She was then repeatedly stabbed in the upper torso.

Mabelane escaped the scene and the victim was taken to the neighbourhood clinic for medical attention. She was later transferred to Jubilee Hospital in Hammanskraal and George Mukhari Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa.

The suspect was believed to be hiding in Limpopo, according to information police received. They worked with the police in Limpopo and he was charged with attempted murder wherein he was found guilty as charged and sentenced.

The investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Joel Tlou of Makapanstad Detectives, and the entire team have earned praise from the Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, for doing everything possible to ensure that those who commit crimes related to gender-based violence face the full might of the law.

OFM News