IPID welcomes a sentence of 20 years imprisonment imposed on a Free State police officer for killing his wife.

On 22 February 2025, Sergeant Thabo Maile (40), shot his wife, Nomsa Sheila Maile (38), five times while she was watching television at home in Maokeng, Kroonstad.

The couple was apparently having marital problems after the wife found out that the husband had a second child outside their marriage.

The investigations also revealed that Sergeant Maile, who was stationed at Steynsrus Vispol, had threatened to kill his wife a month before the incident.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of murder, and the Kroonstad Magistrates court sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment.
He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Media enquiries:
Lizzy Suping
060 525 2822
LSuping@ipid.gov.za

Phaladi Shuping
078 459 7772
PShuping@ipid.gov.za

ISSUED BY THE INDEPENDENT POLICE INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTORATE (IPID)