MBOMBELA- Frustration boiled over in the Lusanda Mathabela murder case on Friday, 24 April, as the matter was postponed yet again, with the defence slamming what it described as “unreasonable” delays while the court awaits direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The accused, Katlego Mokoena (19) and Lungelo Sithole (19), appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of the 20-year-old. The pair face a charge of murder after allegedly stabbing her to death at her home in Mataffin in November 2025.
The State has previously opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and what it says is strong evidence linking the accused to the crime. However, proceedings have been stalled by delays in securing a directive from the DPP. The Prosecutor told the court that more time is needed before a final decision can be made, resulting in yet another postponement.
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The matter is further complicated by the possibility of additional charges. DNA results, which are still outstanding, are expected to determine whether Mathabela was sexually assaulted prior to her death. Should this be confirmed, the State may amend the charge sheet to include further charges.
Defence lawyers have criticised the repeated delays. Bontle Lebotse, representing Mokoena, argued that the postponements are unjustified, noting that the case docket had already been submitted to the DPP for review. “We are not happy with that. We objected to it being an unreasonable delay from the part of the State and considered most of the time that have elapsed,” she said.
Lebotse further told Mpumalanga Mirror that the defence opposed the postponement and applied for the matter to be struck off the roll until the state is ready to proceed. Advocate Patt Sekatane, representing Sithole, echoed these concerns, describing the delays as “very bizarre.”
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He pointed out that the matter has now been postponed three times for the same reason, despite earlier indications from the State that investigations had been finalised.
The case continues to draw widespread attention, with Mathabela’s family and the broader community still waiting for progress in the pursuit of justice. The matter has now been postponed to 5 June 2026.
