Johannesburg – The man accused of killing 27-year-old IT Specialist Mahlaku Malebo Rabalao and setting her Mercedes Benz alight with her inside – has been named as legal practitioner, Thubelihle Sbonakaliso Mpisi.
The 30-year-old murder accused appeared briefly in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Monday on allegations of murdering his girlfriend and burning her body inside her vehicle in March 2023.
Mpisi was arrested in KwaZulu-Natal, on Friday, (28 July 2023), following a warrant that was issued for his arrest.
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Mpisi was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on 7 August 2023 for a possible bail hearing.
At the weekend, South African Police Service Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo narrated events leading to Mpisi’s arrest.
Mpisi’s arrest came just over four months after his University of the Witwatersrand graduate girlfirend, Rabalao’s charred remains were recovered from her burnt-out car.
Recalling that fateful night, Colonel Masondo said on the 7 March 2023, at about 21:00, police received a call about a burning vehicle in Midrand.
“On their arrival, police found a Mercedes Benz that was on fire,” recalled Masondo.
“After the fire was extinguished, human remains were found in the front seat of the car.
“Police immediately conducted an investigation, and the deceased was identified.”
Colonel Masondo said the Gender-Based Violence docket was prioritised and transferred to the Provincial Investigation Unit, where it was assigned to a seasoned investigating officer.
“During the investigation, it transpired that the deceased was killed and burnt inside the vehicle, and the suspect is her boyfriend,” said Colonel Masondo.
“A warrant of arrest was issued by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
“The suspect was traced and arrested in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, 28 July 2023.”
