Man Sentenced to Life for Attempted Murder of Girlfriend

The Tzaneen Regional Court has sentenced a 41-year-old man, Matome Modiba, to life imprisonment following his conviction for the attempted murder of his 39-year-old girlfriend.

According to court records, the incident occurred on 12 November 2023, when the victim left her home in Segwashi, Nyakelang Section, at around 07:30 and took a minibus taxi to work. Upon her arrival, she encountered Modiba, who was waiting in a white Ford Ranger bakkie. An argument broke out between the two, during which Modiba drew a firearm.

As the victim tried to get into the vehicle, Modiba pulled her out and shot her, injuring her hip and spinal area before fleeing the scene, leaving her lying on the ground. Police and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were called to the scene, and the victim was rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.

An attempted murder case was immediately opened at Haenertsburg Police Station and assigned to Detective Sergeant Daniel Molepo of the Detectives Unit. Through swift investigative work, the accused was arrested later that same day at his home in Mountain View, Ga-Molepo village. Police recovered the firearm used in the shooting and the Ford Ranger, which had bloodstains on the passenger seat.

Detective Molepo successfully opposed bail, keeping Modiba in custody throughout the trial. On 10 November 2025, the Tzaneen Regional Court convicted him of attempted murder and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm.