A 26-year-old man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend, Kgaugelo Marota, is expected to appear in court today for his formal bail application.
Lazarus Antonio bail hearing underway
The suspect, identified as Lazarus Antonio, allegedly stabbed the 20-year-old woman to death in Maubane Village, North West.
According to police, Antonio fled the scene after the stabbing but later posted a confession on Facebook and TikTok, admitting responsibility for Marota’s death.
The attack happened outside a tavern in Hammanskraal, Gauteng, last Thursday morning. Witnesses told police that Antonio stabbed Marota several times before running away.
Shortly after the killing, Antonio shared disturbing posts online. On Facebook, he wrote:
“They may judge me, but you and I know the truth, you ruined us… RIP. I promised you till death do us apart… Will forever love you Mmamogashwa.”
In a separate TikTok video, Antonio apologised but said he blamed pressure from the victim’s family, claiming they encouraged her to take out protection orders against him.
In South Africa, a protection order is a legal document that stops someone from contacting or approaching another person if they are accused of abuse or harassment. It is designed to protect victims of domestic violence.
Antonio admitted in his video that he had been the subject of such orders, which he said caused tension in their relationship.
Marota’s father expressed grief and anger over his daughter’s death.
“Kgaugelo was my child. She was born in the 2000s and she has been killed by her boyfriend. I saw her body in the pathology service vehicle, and I’ll be burying her next week Saturday,” he said.
This tragedy has drawn comparisons to another widely reported case in December 2024, when Sibusiso Lawrence from KwaZulu-Natal killed his girlfriend, Nontobeko Cele, and then posted graphic images online before taking his own life.
Police say Antonio’s social media confession will form part of the evidence in the current case.
The bail application will determine whether Antonio will remain in custody or be released under conditions while awaiting trial. Prosecutors are expected to argue against bail due to the seriousness of the charges and the suspect’s public admission of guilt.
