A man who viciously murdered his girlfriend and their one-year-old son has been sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment in the Free State High Court sitting in Sasolburg. 

Jonas Mokoena, 27, was convicted and sentenced of the murders of his girlfriend, Mpho Dhlamini, 41, and one-year-old Omphile Innocent Mokoena on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

On January 16, 2025, the bodies of the mother and son were discovered in a shallow grave in an informal settlement in Qalabotjha in Villiers. 

The discovery was only made after residents reported a foul smell emanating from the victims’ shack. 

The body of baby Omphile was found in a sports bag on top of his mother’s body. 

According to evidence before the court, police preliminary investigations revealed that Mokoena had been telling their landlord that his girlfriend and child were in Balfour when questioned on their whereabouts. 

After the gruesome discovery of the bodies, Mokoena fled and went into hiding. 

The case was investigated by Detective Sergeant Ivy Maisa, who is attached to the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Investigation unit as well as the Murder and Robbery Unit. 

Through a thorough investigation and all evidence gathered, Mokoena was soon apprehended hours later. He was found at a hiking spot en route to Balfour and immediately arrested by members of the Villiers SAPS. 

robin.francke@iol.co.za

IOL

Source link