A Limpopo man who poured paraffin over his girlfriend before setting her alight in front of her two young children has been sentenced to life imprisonment for her murder.
Stanley Madimetja Kekana, 48, was sentenced by the Polokwane High Court on Wednesday, following the killing of Tshepiso Aphane, 30, at Magatle village on 12 February 2022.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the incident occurred at about 5pm when the couple were at Aphane’s homestead and became involved in a heated argument.
During the altercation, Kekana became angry, took paraffin from the house and poured it over Aphane before setting her alight. Her two children, who were aged 11 and nine at the time, witnessed the attack.
After realising that Aphane had suffered burn injuries, Kekana poured water over her before fleeing the scene.
Despite her injuries, Aphane managed to reach her aunt, who lived nearby, to seek assistance. She was subsequently taken to hospital for medical treatment.
Police initially opened a case of attempted murder. However, the charge was later changed to murder after Aphane died in hospital from her injuries.
Kekana was arrested at Magatle village a few days after the incident, while Aphane was still alive.
The case was investigated by Sergeant Lengana Choshi of the Magatle Detective Unit.
Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers welcomed the sentence, saying gender-based violence remained a serious concern and that perpetrators must be held accountable.
“The life sentence sends a strong message that acts of violence against women will not be tolerated. It is particularly heartbreaking that this incident occurred in the presence of young children, who were exposed to a traumatic experience and subsequently lost their mother,” Scheepers said.
He expressed hope that the sentence would bring some comfort to Aphane’s bereaved family.
Scheepers also urged couples to resolve their disputes peacefully and encouraged victims of domestic violence to seek help before situations escalated.
