Suspect appears in court for rape and murder

A 33-year-old Mokhele Andries Thebehali briefly appeared before the Lichtenburg Magistrates' Court on Monday, 23 September 2024. The accused was apprehended by the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit on Thursday, 19 September 2024, for the rape and murder of a 34-year-old Naledi Masigo. According to information at our disposal, a missing person inquiry was opened at Itsoseng Police station on Monday, 01 July 2024, after Naledi failed to come back home. Reports suggest that Naledi went to a tavern at Bodibe village to celebrate her birthday with her cousions on Saturday, 29 June 2024. Furthermore, they met Thebehali who is one of Naledi's cousins' boyfriend and committed to buy them meat for the celebrations. He then suggested that they go to another tavern, but Naledi's cousins refused. The accused then left the place with Naledi. That was the last time she was seen alive. Following a missing person inquiry, Naledi's body was found in the bushes near a farm outside Lichtenburg, on Tuesday, 02 July 2024, by a truck d river. Thebehali who was on parole when the incident happened, was arrested at his residence, on Thursday, 19 September 2024, after investigations linked him to the crime. He is expected to appear before the same court on Wednesday, 25 September 2024, for bail application. The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, condemned the incident, and thanked the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit and Lichtenburg Detectives for their sterling investigations that led to the arrest of Thebehali and indicated that Gender Based Violence will not be tolerated. Source: South African Police Service