10-Year Prison Term for Woman Following Fatal Phatsima Tavern Stabbing
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has successfully secured a 10-year prison sentence for 50-year-old Maria Lebeko following her conviction for the murder of a man outside a local tavern in Phatsima.
The sentence was handed down by the Tlhabane Regional Court after Lebeko entered into a plea and sentence agreement with the State, pleading guilty to a charge of murder read with Section 51(2) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997.
The conviction stems from a violent incident on 20 December 2025. According to court evidence.
The deceased and his girlfriend were leaving a local tavern when a verbal argument broke out between him and Lebeko’s brother, which quickly escalated into a physical fight.
The two men fell into a water-filled pit after the deceased overpowered Lebeko’s brother. Lebeko then intervened, striking the deceased with a beer bottle, which shattered during the assault.
After her brother escaped the pit, Lebeko approached the deceased and fatally stabbed him, ignoring the desperate pleas of the deceased’s partner to stop.
During sentencing, the defense highlighted several mitigating factors, arguing that alcohol played a major role in the incident.
The court was also informed that Lebeko has limited formal education, having left school in Grade 2, and faced community retaliation and assault after the murder.
Conversely, State Prosecutor Orlinah Mputla presented a moving victim impact statement compiled by Court Preparation Officer Ephraim Maupi.
The statement, written on behalf of the deceased’s partner—who is also the mother of his child—detailed the severe emotional trauma and financial devastation caused by losing the family’s primary breadwinner.
The prosecution emphasized that social establishments should be spaces for peaceful gatherings, not bloodshed, and maintained that pleading guilty should not automatically result in leniency.
While the Tlhabane Regional Court agreed with the State’s arguments, it determined that the presented mitigating factors constituted substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.
In addition to her 10-year prison term, Lebeko was declared unfit to possess a firearm under Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
Issued an order in terms of Section 299A of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the sentence and strongly urged the public to avoid violence, particularly when alcohol impairs judgment.
The NPA commended the meticulous work of SAPS investigating officer Sergeant Kgomotso Mathambo from Sun City, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to keeping communities safe and holding violent offenders accountable.
