Irate community members say ‘no bail’

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA – Makwane magistrate court was packed to capacity when Teboho Mashaile (40), who is accused of murdering his girlfriend Tshepiso Mokoena (35) of Lusaka Qwaqwa, made his second appearance in court on Wednesday January 29 ,2025.

Mashaile appeared briefly in court before Magistrate Jeniniffer Moalusi who postponed the case to February 6 2025 for bail application.

Mashaile’s case stemmed from the alleged brutal murder of his girlfriend and staying with her lifeless body for six days before carrying the body on a wheelbarrow to dump it among the overgrown trees near a reservoir not far from her house.

Mokoena’s decomposed body was discovered by a passerby who reported the matter to police. The deceased was later confirmed as Tshepiso Juliet Mokoena by her brother.

This after she was reported missing on January 11 ,2025 , but had last been seen with her boyfriend.

“The suspect was traced and arrested,” police spokesperson in Thabo Mofutsanyana Warrant Officer Mamako Mophiring said.

Mashaile who remained behind bars made his first appearance at Makwane magistrate court on January 22. His legal representative Kaibe Kaibe disclosed to the court that Mashaile had previous convictions of attempted murder and was jailed for seven years in 2012, while in 2022 he was jailed for 12 years for robbery with intention to steal.

In an interview with this publication some irate community members said Mashaile does not deserve to live among the community, and that he must be locked up.

Matumelo Mofokeng one of the community members of Lusaka, said the death of Mokoena is heartbreaking because she was brutally murdered and hidden for many days.

“The accused must not get bail. He has committed heinous crimes and does belong in the community. He is a danger to society.”

Mokoena’s uncle Samuel Mbongo thanked the community of Lusaka who have been supporting the family during the accused’s court appearances.

“Her death is heartbreaking because she did not die of natural causes but was murdered senselessly. Her death pierces the heart like other untimely deaths caused by road accidents, but hers is worse because it is a murder.”