Man jailed for 15 years after stabbing girlfriend and setting shack alight in Koppies

A Free State man has been sentenced to an effective 15 years in prison after stabbing his girlfriend and allegedly setting a shack on fire during an attack in Koppies. According to IOL, the Koppies Magistrate’s Court convicted 30‑year‑old Tumelo Theletsane of attempted murder and handed down the sentence on 9 September 2026.

What happened

The attack took place in the New Location area of Koppies on 18 January. Police were called to a house shortly after 7am following reports of a fight. Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Josephine Rani said officers arrived to find a shack that had been burnt and the suspect’s girlfriend unconscious.

Rani said the injured woman had been taken to a neighbour’s house before she was transported to hospital for medical treatment.

Investigation and conviction

The attempted murder investigation was assigned to Detective Constable Sebolelo Khoza. IOL reports that Khoza conducted what was described as “a thorough investigation” that led to Theletsane being found guilty and sentenced.

“The case was assigned to Detective Constable Sebolelo Khoza, who conducted a thorough investigation that led to Theletsane being found guilty and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment, of which 10 years is suspended for five years,” Rani said.

Sentence explained

The Koppies Magistrate’s Court imposed a 25‑year term, with 10 years suspended for five years. According to IOL, that suspended portion means Theletsane faces an effective 15‑year prison term, provided the conditions attached to the suspension are not breached.

Case closure

IOL reports that Theletsane’s conviction brings to a close the criminal case arising from the January attack, about eight months after police found his girlfriend unconscious.

Reporting note

According to IOL, the details in this article come from court records and statements by Free State police quoted in IOL’s report.