By REGINALD KANYANE
23 September 2025 – A murderer, Phako Tlape (33) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mmabatho Regional Court. This comes after Tlape was found guilty of killing Sebule Isaac Sebule (31).
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the evidence presented before court by the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Samuel Matiti of the Trio Task Team in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, indicated that police were called to a tavern in Dithakong West in Lomanyaneng village, near Mahikeng on 29 July 2023 at around 6:40pm, where the lifeless body of Sebule was found with several stabbing wounds. Myburgh said Sebule was declared dead on the scene by Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS).
“Following up on information received, eyewitnesses positively identified the suspect, Tlape, who was arrested later the same day. Furthermore, in terms of Section 103(1) of the Firearm Control Act, Act 60 of 2000, Tlape was also declared unfit to possess a firearm by the court,”
she said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Dintletse Molefe, welcomed the sentence and commended the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Samuel Matiti, as well as the prosecutor, advocate Nthabiseng Thabeng, for their collaboration and hard work that led to this success. Molefe further remarked that this lengthy sentence will go a long way towards addressing serious and violent crimes and ensure the removal of dangerous, heartless criminals from society.
The Guardian 