Woman jailed for 10 years for fatally stabbing man outside North West tavern

A 50-year-old woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for murdering a man during a violent confrontation outside a tavern in Phatsima, North West.

Maria Lebeko was sentenced by the Tlhabane Regional Court after pleading guilty to murder stemming from the 20 December 2025 incident.

The court heard that the deceased was leaving a local tavern with his girlfriend when they encountered Lebeko and her brother. An argument between the deceased and Lebeko's brother escalated into a physical fight.

During the altercation, the deceased overpowered Lebeko's brother, causing both men to fall into a water-filled pit. Lebeko then struck the deceased with a beer bottle, which broke.

After her brother escaped from the pit, Lebeko approached the deceased and stabbed him fatally.

The State, represented by prosecutor Orlinah Mputla, presented a victim impact statement detailing the emotional and financial impact of the man's death on his partner and their child.

The deceased's partner told the court that she pleaded with Lebeko to stop stabbing him, but her pleas were ignored.

The defence argued in mitigation that alcohol had contributed to the incident. The court also heard that Lebeko had limited formal education and left school in Grade 2.

Although the court found substantial and compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence, it agreed with the State that violent crime at taverns and other social establishments should not be tolerated.

Lebeko was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm.

North West Director of Public Prosecutions Dr Rachel Makhari welcomed the sentence and urged the public to avoid violence, particularly when alcohol consumption may contribute to conflict.

The NPA also commended SAPS investigating officer Sergeant Kgomotso Mathambo for his work in bringing the case to finalisation.