Moorosi Tsiane
TWO men who brutally beat and slit the throat of their drinking companion during a drunken brawl in Mafeteng have been sentenced to a combined 73 years in prison, bringing to a close a murder case dating back to June 2017.
Tseko Mosena and Tšepo Kheoana were on Monday sentenced by High Court Judge Maliepollo Makhetha to 38 and 35 years’ imprisonment respectively for the killing of Itumeleng Mokhele, a crime the court described as barbaric and carried out in common purpose.
The court heard that the fatal incident occurred nearly eight years ago after the trio spent the night drinking at a local bar in Mafeteng. A quarrel broke out among them, prompting their ejection from the bar. However, the dispute continued as they walked away together.
Crown counsel Advocate (Adv) Tsebiso Fuma told the court that violence escalated along the way when Kheoana overpowered Mokhele, disarmed him of a nylon stick he had been carrying, and repeatedly struck him on the head, even after he had fallen to the ground.
Mosena then joined the assault, stabbing Mokhele with a knife before slitting his throat when he realised the victim was still alive.
Adv Fuma led five witnesses to establish that the accused acted together with a common purpose to kill Mokhele.
One of the witnesses, ‘Mateboho Challa, testified that she was in her rented room at the flats of one ’Maphakisi Maphats’oe when she heard the sounds of a struggle outside.
“At the time in question I heard sounds of people in a squabble, no voices, just pushing and a stick hitting someone who appeared to be wrapped in a blanket,” Challa told the court.
“I later heard a voice saying, ‘bontate le ntsekisang?’ (what have I done?). After that, there was silence.”
She said the voices moved closer to her room and she then heard someone say the person was not dead.
“Later I heard voices approaching, one saying ‘motho enoa ha a shoa’ (that person is not dead). I identified that voice as Itumeleng’s. After that, there was silence until morning,” she said.
Detective Police Constable (DPC) ‘Mokose testified that he arrived at the scene at around 11pm and found Mokhele lying in a pool of blood, surrounded by villagers.
“I examined him and found a wound on the forehead and an open wound on the throat. His throat had been cut open,” he said.
The body was taken to the mortuary, and investigations later led police to Mosena, who was arrested at his workplace.
DPC ‘Mokose told the court that Mosena voluntarily gave an explanation and pointed out both the nylon stick and the knife used in the killing.
Both accused denied responsibility during their defence, each blaming the other.
Kheoana claimed Mokhele was the aggressor and that he only fought back after being attacked with a nylon stick. He alleged that Mosena later appeared and fatally stabbed Mokhele.
Mosena, however, disputed this version, claiming he stumbled upon Kheoana assaulting Mokhele over a missing cellphone and denied stabbing the deceased.
After hearing closing arguments from both the prosecution and defence lawyer Advocate Tsoeunyane Mokobori, Justice Makhetha convicted both men on 16 December 2025, with sentencing deferred to this week.
Handing down sentence, Justice Makhetha said Mosena’s conduct was particularly disturbing, noting that the deceased was his acquaintance.
“I have seen no remorse from Mosena. He even disappeared mid-trial, wasting the court’s time. Slitting the throat of a companion is a barbaric act,” she said.
The judge said lengthy prison terms were necessary to punish the offenders and allow time for rehabilitation.
Mosena was sentenced to 38 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine, while Kheoana received 35 years, also without the option of a fine.
