On 4 August 2026, Attorney Thubelihle Mpisi (30) was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his girlfriend, Mahlako Rabalao, and burning her body in her Mercedes-Benz in Midrand in 2023.
Full Timeline
March 7, 2023 (evening)
-
Mahlako Rabalao (27), IT specialist, businesswoman, and mother of Mpisi’s young son, was killed in Midrand, Gauteng.
Advertisement -
She lived with Mpisi, her boyfriend of ~7 years.
-
Relatives said she planned to end the relationship and move out.
-
Mpisi reported her missing that day.
-
~21:00: Police found her burning Mercedes-Benz in President Park, Midrand. Her charred remains were in the front seat.
March 9, 2023 (approx.)
-
Body was identified.
-
Police initially suspected accident/vehicle fault.
-
Family hired a private investigator, unsatisfied with the probe.
-
Case later moved to a provincial investigation unit.
Mid-to-late March 2023
-
Mpisi posted a Facebook tribute: “Rest in peace my love. The pain I’m in is so deep… How do I raise (the child) without you?”
-
He shared a tribute video and assisted with searches.
-
He spoke at her memorial.
July 2023
-
Mid-July: Warrant issued by Randburg Magistrates’ Court.
-
July 28: Mpisi arrested at his homestead in KwaZulu-Natal.
-
Evidence included: she was killed before being burned, cellphone data, forensics showed petrol used in a diesel vehicle, accidental causes ruled out.
July 31, 2023
-
Mpisi appeared in Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on murder and related charges.
-
Remanded in custody; case postponed.
August 2023 onward
-
Multiple postponements for bail processes.
-
Mpisi abandoned bail application and remained in custody.
-
Family expressed shock—he had cried and offered help after her death.
Early 2024 (approx. February)
-
Case transferred to Johannesburg High Court (South Gauteng High Court) for pretrial and trial.
2024 (May & October)
-
Further delays: private lawyers withdrew over non-payment; Mpisi sometimes self-represented.
-
Outstanding forensic/DNA reports (blood found in shared home, pathology reviews) caused postponements.
-
He remained in custody.
~June 18, 2026
-
Johannesburg High Court (Judge Gcina Malindi) found Mpisi guilty of:
-
Murder
-
Malicious injury to property
-
Obstructing/defeating the ends of justice
-
-
State relied on circumstantial evidence:
-
Cellphone tower data placed him at the scene
-
Forensics: fire deliberately started with open flame, petrol residue
-
Expert testimony: she was killed before the fire
-
His post-incident conduct
-
-
His version (she left alone ~19:35 to collect an Uber Eats order while he stayed home) was rejected.
August 1, 2026 (reported August 4)
-
Sentenced to:
-
Life imprisonment for murder
-
5 years for malicious injury to property
-
5 years for obstructing justice
-
