ZiMoja updates on the latest crime news in parts of the country.

GAUTENG: A man who killed his girlfriend over lobola money was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Gauteng High Court yesterday. Louis Serenetra Moyo (49) who is in the country illegally, killed his girlfriend of four years, Thobile Grace Khoza (41) in March this year. Moyo also received an additional six months for being unlawfully in the country. According to NPA's Phindi Mjonondwana, Moyo used Khoza's bank account to save money to pay for her lobola. On 12 March 2024, he found out that Khoza spent the money, which was around R15 000. During the confrontation, Moyo brutally assaulted Khoza using various objects, ultimately stabbing her and leaving her to bleed to death. After the attack, he locked the room and fled the scene. Khoza's decomposed body was discovered by their landlord three days later after being alerted by an unusual odour and the presence of flies. Moyo was arrested shortly after that and he was found in possession of the victim's bank card, ID and cellphone. He pleaded guilty to charges of murder and being in the country illegally. In his plea, Moyo admitted to having murdered in a fit of rage and acknowledged that his actions were premeditated.

LIMPOPO: A man has been arrested for allegedly raping two girls who had asked him to help them with a school project. It's alleged that the two kids, both aged eight, went to the suspect's house in Tambo village, Dennilton, on Saturday. The suspect (43) who is also their neighbour took advantage and raped them. One of the girls reported the matter to her uncle, who alerted the community, and they apprehended the suspect. The suspect will appear before Dennilton Magistrate's Court soon, facing two charges of rape. 

NORTH WEST: Mogomotsi Mothupi (56) was remanded in custody after his appearance at the Rustenburg Magistrate's Court yesterday for attempted murder and malicious property damage. Mothupi was arrested in August after he allegedly set his girlfriend alight with paraffin and raped her friend. According to the police, Mothupi went to his girlfriend's house on 6 August this year in Mahumapelo in Marikana accompanied by a 49-year-old woman. It's alleged that after his girlfriend opened the door and offered them a seat, he suddenly took a hammer and started smashing property inside the house. Police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh said he allegedly poured paraffin over his girlfriend and set her alight. The suspect later took his injured girlfriend to a nearby bus stop, where he stopped a taxi and left. The taxi driver took the victim to the hospital, where she spent two months. Both women opened cases against Mothupi and he was arrested in September for rape and appeared in court. He was denied bail and will re-appear before the court on 20 March 2025.