The Free State Division of the High Court of South Africa has handed down a life imprisonment sentence to Teboho Abram Mokoena, aged 31, for the murder and dismemberment of his mother, Modiehi Anna Khodumo (65).
In addition, Judge Joseph Mhlambi, as announced by Phaladi Shuping, the spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Free State Division, imposed a 5-year imprisonment for Mokoena’s assault on his father, Motsumi Joseph Mokoena, with a knife during a confrontation. Mokoena also received a 12-month imprisonment for causing malicious damage to property.
On June 7, 2022, Motsumi Mokoena visited the home of the deceased and discovered Teboho Mokoena in the act of packing his mother’s remains in a plastic bag within the garage. When he attempted to inquire about the situation, the accused stabbed him multiple times, prompting a police response.
A gruesome discovery was made in the garage, where a grinder and dismembered human remains were found. It is believed that the deceased was killed between June 5 and June 7, 2022.
The accused had a troubled relationship with his parents due to his alleged drug use and financial demands on his mother.
In court, State Prosecutor Advocate Nono Mkhabela presented three victim impact statements (VIS) from the deceased’s daughter, brother, and ex-husband. The daughter stated that she struggled academically as a result of the incident, forcing her to repeat a semester, while the ex-husband described the deceased as a pillar of strength for the family and the community.
Mkhabela argued that the accused was convicted of three serious offenses that are not only prevalent in the province but throughout the country, all characterized by violence. She further asserted that the accused displayed no remorse for his actions and was clearly motivated by selfishness, a sense of entitlement, and greed. The court should adhere to the minimum sentence prescribed by the law to send a message to potential offenders that such crimes will be dealt with harshly by the courts.