# Two Men Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Murder and Rape at Lephalale Magistrate’s Court
**LEPHALALE, 27 May 2026** – The Lephalale Magistrate’s Court has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for the murder of an 83-year-old man in Shongoane One, with one accused receiving an additional life sentence for rape.
Christmas Monyeki (41) and Today Mabula (43) were convicted on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, on the following charges:
* **Count One: Murder** – Both accused were sentenced to life imprisonment.
* **Count Two: Rape** – Monyeki was sentenced to a further term of life imprisonment.
The court ordered that Monyeki’s sentences run concurrently. His name has also been registered in the National Register for Sex Offenders.
The convictions stem from an incident on 05 September 2018, when police were dispatched to a murder scene in Leswaneng Section, Shongoane One. Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of the 83-year-old victim lying on a bed. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) pronounced him dead. A subsequent forensic pathology postmortem confirmed the victim had been strangled.
A murder case was opened and assigned to Sergeant Manyaapela Molekoa of the Villa Nora Detectives Unit. Through diligent investigation, Sergeant Molekoa traced and arrested both suspects on 06 September 2018.
Following multiple court appearances, both accused were initially released on bail of R1,000 each. While out on bail, Monyeki committed a separate rape against a 13-year-old girl in the same precinct in February 2019. He was subsequently re-arrested and remained in custody until the finalisation of the case.