The Polokwane High Court in Limpopo has convicted and sentenced Kibi Josias Leboho (36) to life imprisonment for the murder of his ex-fiancé Tshepo Rakoma (29). Rakoma who was no longer in a relationship with Leboho was shot and killed at a parking lot in Polokwane CBD in 2021, after she refused to take him back.

Limpopo National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzangi said after committing the murder, Leboho climbed on top of a building of the shopping centre, where he had just killed Tshepo and threatened to commit suicide, however, the police negotiators convinced him otherwise and arrested him. Leboho was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, three years for unlawful possession of a firearm and one year of direct imprisonment for a count of unlawful possession of ammunition. "During the trial, Leboho told the court that he was on the scene to assist the mother of his children when she was killed by an unknown person," Malabi-Dzhangi said.

State advocate Malebo Maleka submitted that the accused did not abandon his plan to kill the deceased even though he had many opportunities to do so, the offence was premeditated and deserving of a life sentence. "She further said that the fact that the accused had paid dowry for the deceased did not mean she was his property. The advocate concluded by saying that the accused never showed any remorse throughout the proceedings," she said. In sentencing, Judge Griet Muller remarked that the offence was premeditated and it was a family tragedy. "He then said that the family will never see the deceased again because of the accused. He further remarked that there are no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence," she said.

Lentswe Laka Foundation, an NPO which was started months after Tshepo's murder said they commend the exceptional dedication to justice exhibited by the court. "Amid the pursuit of justice, the Lentswe Laka Foundation acknowledges the significance of our battle against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Our salute extends to Judge Gerrit Muller and Prosecutor Malebo Maleka, who emphatically state that such offenders will not evade accountability," the foundation's spokesperson Malebeko Sadiki said. She added that the verdict underscores a clear message to potential wrongdoers - the consequences of such acts will not diminish. "The justice system bears the duty to reinforce this caution and validate our collective stance against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide,".