By Teboho Moloi
QWAQWA — The murder case of Tshepang Mapiloko, the man accused of brutally killing his uncle with a hammer, has been postponed for another six weeks as the state awaits a decision on whether the matter will be transferred to the Free State High Court.
Mapiloko, 36, from Phuthaditjhaba, made a brief appearance in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 4 December. He appeared disoriented, wearing the same grey jacket he has had on since his arrest, with visibly unkempt hair.
He is charged with the Schedule 6 murder of his uncle, 75-year-old Frank Lelala, who was found dead on 8 October 2025. Mapiloko has remained in custody since his arrest and was denied bail.
The state has written to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requesting that the case be escalated to the High Court due to its severity. However, during Thursday’s appearance, the prosecutor informed the court that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is still awaiting the DPP’s decision and requested a further postponement.
The matter was postponed to 19 January 2026 for the DPP’s final decision.Earlier, the state informed the court that investigations were complete, with only a photo album still to be added to the docket.
“Because of the seriousness of the case, it needs to be heard by the High Court, but we will await the DPP’s decision,” the prosecutor noted.
During his bail application, the court found that Mapiloko had failed to present exceptional circumstances that would justify his release. Investigating officer Sergeant Teboho Rasenyalo strongly opposed bail, testifying that several of the accused’s relatives had approached him expressing fear for their lives.
Rasenyalo said he was concerned about the safety of witnesses, adding that the accused knows them personally.
According to reports before court, Lelala was found lying in a pool of blood inside his home. Blood spattered the walls, and his head appeared to have been bludgeoned with a hammer, which was found next to his body.
Among the exhibits submitted since the case began are Mapiloko’s sworn affidavit, marked Exhibit A, and a jointly signed petition from relatives and community members opposing his release, marked Exhibit B.
Family spokesperson Morwesi Posholi said the family wants Mapiloko kept behind bars and punished severely if convicted.
“We want him to be sentenced harshly and spend the rest of his life in jail. It is painful because he is part of our family, but he took the life of our uncle. It is truly sad,” Posholi said.
