Lesotho National Gets Two Life Sentences for Double Murder in Komani

KOMANI – The Komani Regional Court has sentenced a 38-year-old Lesotho national to two life terms of imprisonment for the murders of two people in Komani during 2025.

According to the South African Police Service, Mokoena Selebalo was sentenced on 27 May 2026 for the murders of Tsoanamatsie Lehlohonolo (39) and Khwezi Sishuba (73). He was also convicted for contravening South Africa’s immigration laws.

The court heard that Selebalo violently attacked Lehlohonolo with an axe at a farm in Komani on 13 May 2025. Lehlohonolo’s body was discovered by his girlfriend the following day.

Police said both Selebalo and Lehlohonolo were employed on the same farm. Following the death of Lehlohonolo, Selebalo disappeared.

Later in May 2025, police recovered the body of Sishuba, who was a co-owner of the farm that employed both Selebalo and Lehlohonolo.

Following an investigation, police traced Selebalo to a mountain area not far from the farm and arrested him on 26 May 2025.

The State relied on forensic evidence during the trial, which positively linked Selebalo to both murders. Investigators also established that Selebalo was an undocumented foreign national and he was convicted for contravening the Immigration Act.

The court sentenced Selebalo to life imprisonment for each murder. He also received two years’ imprisonment for entering South Africa without a valid permit and a further two years’ direct imprisonment for remaining in the country without a permit.

In addition, the court declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

All sentences will run concurrently.

The Chris Hani District Commissioner, Major General Rudolph Adolph, welcomed the sentence.

“The District Commissioner Major General Rudolph Adolph lauded the crime scene experts and the Investigating Officer for the sterling work. Those who commit such heinous crimes deserve hefty sentences,” added Maj Gen Adolph.