A murder case has been opened following the death of 43-year-old Lerato Mofokeng of Intabazwe, near Harrismith, with her 48-year-old boyfriend—also from Intabazwe—now in police custody.
The fatal incident is alleged to have unfolded on Sunday, 31 May 2026, around 19:00. According to investigators, Ms. Mofokeng confronted her partner after seeing him with another woman. The confrontation reportedly escalated when the suspect assaulted her, striking her repeatedly on the head with empty beer bottles.
Emergency responders rushed the victim to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment. On Monday, 1 June 2026, she was transferred to a medical facility in QwaQwa for continued care. Despite medical intervention, Ms. Mofokeng passed away from her injuries on Tuesday, 2 June 2026. Authorities were called to the hospital following her death.
Detectives launched an investigation that led to the identification, tracing, and arrest of the suspect. He has been formally charged with murder.
The accused is set to appear in the Harrismith Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 4 June 2026, to answer to the murder charge. Police continue to appeal for witnesses or anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.