The Mogwase Regional Court convicted and sentenced Rasephei Peter Ramathiki, 49, to life imprisonment on Monday, 20 April 2026. The sentence follows his conviction on charges of burglary at a residential premises with intent to kill and attempted murder.
The court heard that the victim, Mathapelo Maphosa, aged 33, had ended a relationship with Ramathiki due to constant physical abuse.
According to evidence presented, on Monday, 19 May 2025, the accused broke into the victim’s home in Mogwase while she was present with her siblings. Ramathiki was armed with an axe and proceeded to strike the victim with the weapon. The victim pretended to be dead during the assault. Her siblings, who witnessed the attack, fled to neighbours for assistance while the accused escaped the scene.
The victim was subsequently transported to a local hospital for medical treatment, and the incident was reported to the police. Law enforcement responded promptly, and initial investigations resulted in the arrest of Ramathiki later the same day. He was denied bail upon his court appearance and remained in custody until his conviction on Monday, 20 April 2026.