Boyfriend and his two accomplice to serve two life imprisonment and 79 years in jail after girlfriend’s throat was slit

The High Court in Welkom sentenced three accused to two life sentences and 79 years in jail after the Welkom CUT student Nini Pule was found tied up and her throat slit. The boyfriend reported that they were hi-jacked. Investigation revealed that he reported a false case of Hi-jacking.

On the 13 May 2021 the boyfriend Malefetsane Mpotle reported that they were travelling when they were hi-jacked and his grilf friend was still in the vehicle when he reported at Theunissen Police Station. He was with a three year old son of his girlfriend when the incident was reported.

A case of Hi-jacking was registered for further investigation. The search was initiated by neighbouring Stations and the vehicle was spotted towards Winburg by the retired Detective Warrant Officer Eddie Mothibi and Detective Sergeant Liezel van der Westhuizen of Winburg Detective Services on the same day. Then a case of murder and theft of cellphone was added as the deceased was found at the back seat with her throat slit and her body tied up with a brown sellotape.

After thorough investigation two suspects were arrested during August 2021 in Theunissen. The boyfriend Malefetsane Mpotle was arrested few days later at his parents’ home at Phomolong Hennenman.

The three suspects were found guilty as charged by Welkom High Court. They were sentenced on the 13 September 2023 as follows:

The accused number 1: Mojaki Pattern Phara: Murder – life sentence, Theft of cellphone – three (3) years in jail.

Accused number 2: Sebongile Matsorotso Soul: Murder – twenty three years (23) in jail, theft of cellphone – three years in jail

Accused number 3: Malefetsane Mpotle (boyfriend): Murder – life in jail, theft of cellphone – three years in jail, defeating the ends of justice – 12 months.

Source: South Africa Police Service