In a somber verdict, the Francistown High Court has handed down the death penalty to a 38-year-old man, Keolopile Makhura, for the rape and murder of his teenage stepdaughter four years ago.
The court found Makhura guilty of both the rape and murder of 14-year-old Bame Tebelelo, a tragedy that occurred on September 23rd, 2019 at Shashe-Mooke village.
The prosecution presented evidence that Makhura not only sexually assaulted but also strangled the young girl, leading to her untimely demise.
Following these heinous acts, he callously disposed of her lifeless body in an abandoned mud house located just meters away from her own residence.
The life of this promising Shashe-Mooke Primary School student, who was in standard 6 at the time, was tragically cut short, her remains discovered concealed beneath an old mattress in the derelict structure.
The severity of Makhura’s crimes was reflected in the court’s sentencing. He received the maximum penalty of death for the charges of rape and murder.
Additionally, he was handed a separate 20-year imprisonment term for the rape conviction, a verdict the court hopes will serve as a grim reminder that such acts of cruelty will not be tolerated in society, and that justice will be served for the innocent.