Staff Reporter
The High Court in Bloemfontein, sitting in Botshabelo, has sentenced four people, including the wife and brother-in-law of slain teacher Fezile Mnyobisi, for his brutal and premeditated murder.
Vusimuzi Daniel Nqele, 43, and Moeketsi Innocent Manko, 35, were each sentenced to life imprisonment. Abdool Rahman Thamando, 35, the brother-in-law of the deceased, was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment, while Halimmah Thamando Mnyobisi, 38, the wife of the deceased, was sentenced to life imprisonment.
All four accused were convicted of murder, read with the provisions of Section 51(1) Part I Schedule 2 of Act 105 of 1997, relating to premeditated murder.
The case stemmed from events on Friday, 15 September 2023, when Botshabelo police received an alert from a local hospital regarding a suspected murder. A patrol vehicle was immediately dispatched.
Upon arrival, police were told that 35-year-old Fezile Mnyobisi, a teacher at Refihlile Primary School in C-Section, had been brought to the hospital by his wife in a private vehicle. He was declared dead on arrival.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Mnyobisi had sustained more than 30 stab wounds to his torso. Botshabelo police initially registered a case of murder and robbery at the Botshabelo Police Station.
Police said an intense and multi-disciplinary investigation by the Provincial Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management, alongside the Investigative Psychology Section, led to warrants of arrest being issued.
Hitmen Nqele and Manko were intercepted and arrested in November 2024 for murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Further investigation led to the arrest of Mnyobisi’s brother-in-law, Abdool Rahman Thamando.
Police said the final arrest was made on 26 November 2024 at about 16:00, after intelligence-led leads helped the tracking team trace Halimmah Thamando Mnyobisi, who had been on the run.
She was found hiding at a luxury residential complex in Sandton, Gauteng, where she was staying with her alleged boyfriend. She was arrested and brought to face justice alongside her co-conspirators.
Police said the conviction followed work by Detective Warrant Officer Lehlohonolo Tloanyane and Detective Sergeant Lebohang Nkopane, under the leadership of Captain Sandile Dladla, in close consultation with State Advocate Mpemvane from the National Prosecuting Authority.
During sentencing, the presiding officer said: “Most brutal Gender-Based Violence cases are perpetrated by males, but this time around, it is a female who stands accused. This sentence should serve as a lesson to those who still think that because women are generally regarded as vulnerable, they are not capable of such brutal and heinous acts.”
Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Solly Lesia lauded the investigating team and the prosecution for securing what he described as a watertight case.
“This sentence sends an unequivocal message that the law will not hesitate to strike down heavily on anyone who orchestrates the destruction of human life, regardless of their gender,” Lesia said.
“It is deeply disturbing when a spouse, who is meant to be a protector, becomes the architect of such a gruesome betrayal and violent crime. We hope this life sentence brings a sense of closure to the family and colleagues of Mr. Mnyobisi. I highly commend our detectives and the NPA for closing every loophole and ensuring that these perpetrators face the full might of the law.”
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