Disabled man accused of killing wife granted M3000 bail

Kabelo Masoabi

A 34-year-old physically disabled man accused of fatally assaulting his wife has been granted M3000 bail by the High Court sitting in Leribe.

Mosiuoa Makoetje is charged with the murder of his 35-year-old wife, ‘Maliphapang Makoetje, who died on 6 July 2026 following an alleged assault at their home in Ha Mallane village, Ha Lejone, Leribe.

Granting bail, Acting Justice Tšooana Lesaoana rejected a defence request to reduce the amount to M2000 after defence counsel Advocate Nkhahle argued that the accused had no one willing or able to assist him financially.

“He is just disabled and alone,” the defence submitted.

Justice Lesaoana declined to reduce the bail on the basis of the accused’s disability.

“My court will not grant a lower bail amount out of sympathy simply because the accused is disabled,” the judge said.

The judge also strongly condemned gender-based violence.

“A disabled man beating and killing his wife! Gender-based violence is rife in this country. Whether it is an able-bodied man, a disabled person, or even a woman abusing her husband, this court will not take such conduct lightly,” Justice Lesaoana said.

Makoetje was granted bail of M3000 pending the continuation of criminal proceedings. He remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

In an affidavit supporting his bail application, Makoetje gave his account of the events leading to his wife’s death.

He stated that on the evening of the incident, he arrived home and found that his wife was not there. While at home, he allegedly heard her voice coming from a neighbouring house where traditional beer was being sold. He said he went there intending to take her home but found her heavily intoxicated and unwilling to leave.

According to his statement, he slapped her after she refused to return home. He also confronted another man at the house, accusing him of having a romantic relationship with his wife. Witnesses reportedly intervened before the confrontation escalated, and Makoetje returned home alone.

He further claimed that when his wife later returned home, the argument resumed. During the dispute, she allegedly admitted to having an extramarital affair with the same man and insulted him by calling him crippled and impotent.

Makoetje alleged that he became enraged and struck her once on the shoulder with his walking stick. He claimed the blow caused her to fall chest-first onto the wooden base of their bed before landing on the floor.

He said the couple later went to bed and that he did not realise she had sustained serious injuries.

According to his affidavit, at about 4am he noticed that she was struggling to breathe and found her unconscious. He then called neighbours for help.

Residents reportedly struggled to secure transport because the village is far from a tarred road. A vehicle was eventually obtained from a nearby village at around 8am, but ‘Maliphapang died before she could be transported to Mamohau Hospital.

Makoetje denied intending to kill his wife, saying he had only wanted to discipline her because she had become “out of control”.

However, police investigations present a different account of the incident.

According to Detective Constable Lentša Lefasa of Ha Lejone Police Station, police received a report on 6 July 2026 that a woman had allegedly been killed by her husband at Ha Mallane village.

Police allege that ‘Maliphapang had returned home at about 7pm after visiting a neighbour when her husband confronted her on the way and assaulted her with a stick. The neighbour allegedly intervened and escorted her home.

Investigators said Makoetje later claimed he was angered because his wife had returned home late after drinking. However, the neighbour reportedly told police that ‘Maliphapang had simply been visiting her.

The following morning, a neighbour arrived at the couple’s home, where the Makoetje indicated that ‘Maliphapang was still inside the house. The neighbour entered and found her lying on the bed.

After uncovering her, the neighbour allegedly discovered that she was covered in blood and raised the alarm. Community members later found ‘Maliphapang lying lifeless on the floor.

Police were called to the scene. Investigators further allege that Makoetje attempted to flee but was apprehended by community members and handed over to police.

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