Kestell man gets life for murdering wife, court hears he beat her with a blunt object and slept beside her

A 35-year-old Kestell man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his wife, in a case the Free State’s top police officer says underlines how serious gender-based violence and femicide remain in the province.

Morebodi Isaac Mokoena was found guilty of the murder of his wife, Mantoa Maria Mokoena, 33, by the Bloemfontein High Court sitting at the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court. He was sentenced on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, according to a South African Police Service statement issued by the office of the Free State provincial commissioner.

The statement records that on 21 December 2025 at about 16:10, Kestell police attended a murder scene at Koelfontein Farm in the Kestell district. On arrival, police found the victim’s body lying on a bed and covered with blankets. She had sustained multiple bruises and injuries.

During the investigation, Mokoena allegedly told police that he had an argument with his wife at about 23:00 on 20 December 2025 over a telephone call she had received. He claimed he suspected her of having an affair and assaulted her all over her body with a blunt object. He further alleged that after the assault, both of them went to sleep in the same bed.

The following morning, the statement says, he attempted to wake his wife but received no response. He covered her with blankets and left for Kestell town, where he visited relatives and consumed alcohol. Later that afternoon, he informed his sister that he had fought with his wife and that she was at home but not responding. His sister contacted the police, who attended the scene.

Following preliminary investigations, Mokoena was arrested and charged with murder.

The case was investigated by Detective Constable Mohanoe of the Kestell Detective Service, while Advocate Thembile Nyakama represented the State.

The Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, welcomed the sentence and reiterated that gender-based violence and femicide remain serious concerns. He described the life term as a significant step towards holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

The account above is drawn from the police statement on the case, which summarises the court outcome and the investigation rather than reproducing the judgment itself. The statement is available at https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=71825. Enquiries on the matter are directed to Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring.