The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has sentenced attorney Thubelihle Sbonakaliso Mpisi to life imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend, Mahlako Malebo Rabalao, whose charred remains were discovered in her Mercedes-Benz near her home in Midrand on March 9, 2023.
Mpisi, who was 30 at the time of the killing, was also convicted of malicious injury to property and defeating the administration of justice. He has been in custody since his arrest on July 28, 2023, after abandoning his bail application.
Court accepts circumstantial evidence
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said that during the trial, Senior State Advocate Michelle Bayat argued that although medical experts could not determine the exact cause of death due to the extensive burning of the body, the evidence established beyond reasonable doubt that Rabalao had died before the fire was started.
The court accepted the State's case, which relied on circumstantial evidence, including cellphone records, forensic evidence, expert testimony, and Mpisi's conduct before and after the incident. Prosecutors successfully argued that Mpisi murdered Rabalao before setting her body and vehicle alight in an attempt to destroy evidence and conceal the crime.
Relationship and plans to separate
Evidence before the court revealed that the pair had been involved in an intimate relationship. Rabalao, an IT specialist who was about to turn 27 when she was killed, had reportedly told relatives and friends that she intended to end the relationship and move out of the home she shared with Mpisi before her death.
She was killed while planning to move out of the apartment they shared. Mpisi was arrested in KwaZulu-Natal after four months of investigation.
Social media mourning before arrest
Before his arrest, Mpisi went on social media to express his shock and pain at the death of the mother of his three-year-old son. In a Facebook post dated March 23, 2023, he wrote: "Rest in peace, my love. The pain I’m in is so deep. I don’t know where to begin to start picking up the pieces. How do I raise Beanie ungekho?... I thank God for giving me the time we’ve shared together; nothing can ever take that away."
He added: "To all those who have given comfort, it is appreciated, and also to all who have given their continuous support in all ways in this dark moment. Your prayers, visits, company, financial and psychological support is highly appreciated."
Impact and sentencing
The life sentence reflects the severity of the crime, which involved premeditation and an attempt to destroy evidence. The court's decision underscores the effectiveness of circumstantial evidence in securing convictions when direct evidence is unavailable due to the destruction of the body.
The case has drawn attention to gender-based violence in South Africa, where intimate partner homicides remain a significant concern. The NPA welcomed the sentence, noting that it sends a strong message that such crimes will not be tolerated.
Rabalao's family and friends, who had hoped for justice, expressed relief at the outcome. The sentencing brings closure to a case that had shocked the community in Midrand and beyond.
