Sandile Mantsoe reveals his version of events

Mantsoe is facing charges of pre-meditated murder in connection with the death of his on-off girlfriend Karabo Mokoena. 

Her burnt body was found in an open veld in Lyndhurst in 2017. 

On Thursday, Captain Rogers Mahundla told the court he arrived at 5am the morning after Mantsoe was arrested and asked he be brought to his office.

In the statement Mantsoe presents Mokoena as an emotionally unstable partner who attempted suicide several times.

Mantsoe told Mahundla on the days leading up to Mokoena's death, they had a fight that started at a club in Soweto and lead to his apartment in Sandton where Mokoena assaulted him several times.

He says she was able to get into his BMW, and he tried to stop her and take the key but she hit back. Mantsoe claims he pushed Mokoena in self defense and eventually dragged her out of his car as she had damaged it an previous incident.

According to Mantsoe's statement, Mokoena apologised and was later admitted to hospital for the injuries she sustained during this altercation.

They both later open assault cases against each other.

He says Mokoena was used to an extravagant lifestyle and told him about two previous boyfriends who used to give her lots of money, sometimes amounting to R100 000 a month.

Mantsoe also revealed that Mokoena's suidical attempts stemmed from two previous incidents where one of her ex-boyfriends kicked her in he stomach, subsequently leading to a miscarriage. He said she had told him in another incident, she had been raped by one of her ex boyfriend's friends.

He told officer Mahundla on the day Mokoena died, he had told her to leave his apartment because he was frustrated by the multiple partners they had and the volatile relationship.

"When I came back to the flat, I found Karabo lying on the floor with a stab wound to her neck. I panicked and put her in the bathroom, got a tyre, went to by acid and petrol. 

"When I returned to the flat, I asked myself how I would move her body. I went to fetch a dutsbin downstairs. I managed to put her in the dustbin, she was very heavy and tall. I placed her in the boot of the car and drove to Bramley. That’s where I proceeded to burn her.” 

Mantsoe says he thought nobody would believe him and that is the reason he disposed of her body.

He also revealed he was on bipolar medication.

The statement said nothing about a spiritual ritual that Mantsoe is alleged to have told other officers about upon his arrest.

His defense lawyer, Advocate Victor Simelane, had no questions for Mahundla after his testimony.

The trial continues.