Copyright lestimes
…recalls how she narrowly escaped death in crime of passion Hopolang Mokhopi THE High Court this week heard a harrowing account from its own Assistant Registrar, Advocate Tebello Mokhoema, who narrowly escaped death in an attack that claimed the life of her younger sister, Malechakane Mokhoema, allegedly at the hands of her ex-lover, Tšenoli Thamahane, a driver at the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO). Thamahane, of Ha Mabekenyane in Berea, is facing charges of attempted murder and murder following the 8 March 2025 shooting incident at the Mokhoemas’ home in Berea. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, appeared before Acting Judge Palesa Rantara, represented by Adv Katiso Nhlapho, while Adv Lehlohonolo Phooko led the prosecution. Testifying on Monday, Tebello recounted that she first met the accused in 2021 when he offered to help her with car repairs. Their friendship soon developed into a romantic relationship later that year. “At first, he was kind and helpful. But as time went on, I realised he was very insecure and controlling. The relationship became suffocating, and I decided to end it,” she told the court. She said despite their breakup, Thamahane continued to contact and stalk her, accusing her of cheating and refusing to let her go. The night of terror On the night of 8 March 2025, Tebello was at a friend’s party in Maqhaka when she received several calls from the accused. “When I finally answered, it was my young son’s voice I heard — but he was speaking through the accused’s phone,” she said tearfully. “I had just left home less than an hour earlier, and I couldn’t understand how my child was with him.” She told the court that her son, who is now eight years old, was not related to the accused. “I shouted because it had not even been an hour since I left home, yet I was already hearing my child’s voice saying he misses me. The accused used my son to make me believe or admit that the child missed me,” she said emotionally. Moments later, she said, the accused appeared uninvited at the party and began arguing with one of her friends, Thabo Molotsi. “He grabbed my phone and shouted at everyone. Someone told me he had a gun. I didn’t see the gun myself, but I know he has two guns. I was angry and told him to leave my belongings. Then the accused left the scene.” She said she furiously confronted him about taking her phone, and he told her he was jealous because he was not invited to the party, claiming he was there to protect her like he always said he would. After the confrontation, she left the party and realised the accused was following her. “When I stopped at the Engen garage, he approached me and told me to find a quiet place so we could talk. I ignored him and drove home, but he followed me again.” She said she opened her gate with the remote, parked in the garage, and began unpacking groceries through the kitchen entrance. “He had somehow opened the gate with the remote he took from my son, then followed me to the kitchen. Before I could even unpack the groceries, the accused was already inside the house. The first thing I said to him was that he should bring back my phone, and he responded that he had put it on the table.” Tebello said the accused then shot her younger sister, Malechakane, twice, and that one of the bullets grazed her ear. “When he shot, my sister fell, and the neighbours and children started running out of the house. I ran through the garage, but he was after me. He shot at me twice in the mouth as I tried to close the neighbour’s door where I had run to seek help. I tried to crawl for help, but I lost strength and fell.” Defence claims self-defence During cross-examination, Advocate Nhlapho argued that the accused had acted in self-defence, claiming that the deceased, Malechakane, had threatened to fetch a gun from the bedroom. However, Tebello denied the claim, insisting that it was the accused who owned two firearms. “We never had any gun in our home,” she said firmly. The defence also alleged that the accused had called her earlier that night to complain that she was out drinking and had abandoned her children, but Tebello dismissed this version, insisting she does not drink alcohol. She admitted, however, that she slapped him after he pulled her by the shirt. Eyewitness account Neighbour, Tumisang Mokoma, also testified before the court, recounting what he witnessed on the night of the attack. “My Lord, on the evening of 8 March 2025, I was at my home when I heard two gunshots from the direction of my neighbour’s house. I went outside to see what was happening. “I saw two people struggling with each other, and I recognized them as Tebello Mokhoema and Tšenoli Thamahane. Tebello was trying to free herself from Thamahane’s hands. He appeared to be holding a gun that seemed to be jamming — it wasn’t firing properly,” Mr Mokoma said. He also told the court that Tebello ran to hide in a nearby house, but the accused followed her aggressively. “Thamahane forced his way into the house, and I then heard two more gunshots. I saw Tebello holding her mouth, bleeding heavily. She tried to walk away but collapsed in the yard,” he said. He added that after the shooting, the accused walked away calmly as neighbours rushed to help the wounded woman. “People gathered quickly and took the victim to the hospital because it was clear she had been shot in the mouth. That is how I know about this incident.” Case proceeds today The prosecution has closed its case, maintaining that Thamahane attacked the Mokhoema sisters out of jealousy and rage as a jilted lover. Four witnesses have testified that the accused had a heated argument with Tebello over their failed relationship before storming her home and opening fire. Justice Rantara adjourned the case yesterday morning to today after Thamahane claimed he could not immediately take the stand in his defence, after complaining of flu.
