South African Man Sentenced to Life for Brutal Murder of Girlfriend with Pickaxe
A 35-year-old South African man, Thabo Samuel Segale, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the gruesome murder of his 24-year-old girlfriend, Amogelang Princess Mpete, whom he attacked with a pickaxe in front of her children.
The sentence was delivered on Thursday, July 31, 2025, by the Mogwase Regional Court in the North West province. The court also declared Segale unfit to possess a firearm.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the murder took place on the night of July 10, 2019, at Mpete’s parental home. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Segale, driven by jealousy and suspicions of infidelity, launched a violent and fatal assault on Mpete in the presence of her seven-year-old child and 12-year-old sibling.
That evening, Segale had been visiting Mpete when she asked him to leave as it was getting late. In response, he reportedly flew into a rage, retrieved a pickaxe from another room, and attacked her in full view of the children. Mpete attempted to escape with the children but was unable to get away in time. Though she eventually fled through a window, Segale chased her outside and struck her on the head with the pickaxe, fatally injuring her before fleeing the scene.
Segale was arrested the following day, denied bail, and remained in custody throughout the proceedings. He later pleaded guilty to the charge of murder.
During sentencing, the State submitted a Victim Impact Statement (VIS), prepared with the assistance of Court Preparation Officer Gift Tapa. The statement detailed the long-lasting emotional and psychological trauma suffered by the two children who witnessed the brutal killing.
Prosecutor Advocate Sicelo Moselakgomo argued that the murder was premeditated and carried out with extreme cruelty, describing it as “an act that shocks the conscience of any civilized society.” He called for a sentence that reflected the gravity of the crime, the need for public safety, and the value of human life.
The court concurred, highlighting the growing prevalence of gender-based violence and the need for severe consequences to deter such acts. In addition to the life sentence, Segale was officially declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Dr. Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, welcomed the outcome and praised the joint efforts of law enforcement, the prosecution team, and other role-players involved in securing the conviction.
“This verdict serves as a strong message to those who perpetrate gender-based violence: justice will be served. It reaffirms our commitment to protecting victims and upholding the rule of law,” Makhari said.
