A 32-year-old woman is finally set to face the full force of the law after being declared mentally fit to stand trial for the alleged murder and dismemberment of her boyfriend in Bolobedu.
Priscilla Mathebula is expected to appear in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court to face a murder charge following the death of 42-year-old Isaiah Thomas Maphalla, whose dismembered remains were discovered in a shallow grave at his homestead in Morudji, Bolobedu, in December last year.
Maphalla was a motor mechanic and his death left his family devastated as police launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and alleged killing.
The breakthrough came after concerned community members reported suspicious activity at the property to the police.
“When officers arrived, they uncovered a shallow grave containing human remains wrapped inside a maize meal bag. The body had been dismembered. A full investigation was immediately activated, and police later arrested the woman believed to be the victim’s girlfriend on Thursday (December 4),” Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said at the time.
Police said the motive for the killing was not immediately known and investigations were continuing.
Limpopo provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the investigative team for its swift work and said acts of extreme violence would not be tolerated.
“This was a deeply disturbing crime. The team acted swiftly and thoroughly, and we will not tolerate such brutality in our province,” Hadebe said.
Mathebula was initially expected to appear in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on December 8, but the case could not proceed after she was found to be mentally unfit to stand trial.
She was subsequently taken to Thababoomo Hospital for a mental assessment.
She has now been declared mentally fit to face the murder charge, clearing the way for her to finally appear before court.
For Maphalla’s family, the development has brought a sense of relief after months of waiting for the accused to face justice.
Speaking to Africa Daily, Maphalla’s sister, Onicca Maphalla, said the family was pleased that the suspect would finally face the consequences of the alleged crime.
«“We are relieved as a family that justice will prevail in the death of our brother,” said Onicca.»
The family now hopes that the court process will provide answers about what happened to Maphalla and bring justice for his death.
Mathebula remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
