Ficksburg police arrest 22-year-old man for murder of Mophinia Molise, 49, found in her yard
Molise was found covered with a yellow blanket in Zone 2, Meqheleng, with a severe wound to her throat. A post-mortem confirmed sexual assault, and the suspect faces rape and murder charges in the Ficksburg Magistrate's Court.
Ficksburg police have arrested a 22-year-old man for the alleged murder of Mophinia Molise (49), of Meqheleng near Ficksburg, and he is expected to appear in the Ficksburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.
Molise’s body was found on Sunday, 25 October 2026, at about 08:00, lying in a yard near a house in Zone 2, Meqheleng. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) statement from the Office of the Provincial Commissioner in the Free State, the body was covered with a yellow blanket and the deceased had sustained a severe open wound to her throat. She was wearing black tight-fitting trousers, a green shirt and black-and-white Soviet-style takkies. Her husband and son identified her at the scene.
According to the statement, the husband said he woke at about 08:00 on Sunday and went outside to look for his wife, whom he had last seen at a local tavern on Saturday night. He allegedly found her lying motionless in his yard. The husband further said he had approached his wife while she was sitting with friends at the tavern and asked her to leave with him because he was intoxicated, but she reportedly refused and he left her with her friends.
Following preliminary investigations, police arrested the 22-year-old suspect on Sunday evening. He has been charged with murder. A post-mortem examination was conducted and confirmed sexual assault, and police say a case of rape and murder is being investigated.
SAPS appealed to community members to allow the law to take its course and to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. The police also encouraged the community to support the family and victims of gender-based violence by attending court proceedings peacefully and allowing the justice system to do its work. The statement noted that the successful prosecution of previous femicide cases in Ficksburg, with community support during court proceedings, shows the importance of working together to ensure justice for victims and their families.
Enquiries: Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, 082 455 6176.
Source: South African Police Service (SAPS), Office of the Provincial Commissioner Free State, https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=72065
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