A South African attorney, Sbonakaliso Mpisi, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend, Mahlako Malebo Rabalao, before allegedly setting her body and vehicle on fire in an attempt to conceal the crime.

The sentence was handed down on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.

Follow the Elizabethblog channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDQN5lI1rcbSgriLG2M

During the trial, Mpisi was found guilty of the murder of Rabalao, as well as malicious injury to property and defeating the administration of justice.

He has remained in custody since his arrest on July 28, 2023, after abandoning his application for bail.
Rabalao’s remains were discovered inside her Mercedes-Benz on March 9, 2023, near her home in Midrand.

According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole, Senior State Advocate Michelle Bayat told the court that although medical experts could not determine the exact cause of death because the body had been extensively burned, the evidence proved beyond reasonable doubt that Rabalao had died before the fire was started.

The court accepted the prosecution’s case, which was supported by circumstantial evidence, including cellphone records, forensic findings, expert testimony, and Mpisi’s actions before and after the incident.

Prosecutors successfully argued that Mpisi murdered Rabalao before setting her body and vehicle ablaze in an attempt to destroy evidence and cover up the crime.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that the couple had been in a romantic relationship.

According to prosecutors, Rabalao had informed relatives and close friends that she intended to end the relationship and move out of the apartment she shared with Mpisi before she was killed.

Rabalao, an IT specialist, was just days away from celebrating her 27th birthday when her life was cut short.

Mpisi, who was 30 years old at the time of his arrest, was apprehended in KwaZulu-Natal after a four-month investigation.

Before his arrest in 2023, Mpisi posted an emotional tribute on Facebook following Rabalao’s death.

He wrote:

“Rest in peace, my love. The pain I’m in is so deep. I don’t know where to begin to start picking up the pieces. How do I raise Beanie ungekho?… I thank God for giving me the time we’ve shared together; nothing can ever take that away.”

He also added:

“To all those who have given comfort, it is appreciated, and also to all who have given their continuous support in all ways in this dark moment. Your prayers, visits, company, financial and psychological support is highly appreciated.”

A Nigerian woman identified as Ogunwale Mary has taken to social media to call out a man, Olajide Ibukun Oladimeji, accusing him of blocking her after she sent him ₦5,000 for transportation.

Sharing her experience in a Facebook post, Mary alleged that the incident happened after she tried to help the man secure a job.

Follow the Elizabethblog channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDQN5lI1rcbSgriLG2M

According to Mary, the man initially contacted her, explaining that he desperately needed a job to provide for his wife and children.

She claimed he repeatedly told her that he neither knew how to drive a car nor ride a motorcycle, making it difficult for him to find employment.

Mary said he continued pleading with her for several days until she eventually decided to offer him a job.
The farmer explained that after considering his situation, she offered him employment on her farm, adding that the job also came with free accommodation.

To help him resume work, she said she transferred ₦5,000 to cover his transportation expenses.

According to her, the man thanked her after receiving the money and was expected to resume work the following day.

Mary alleged that instead of reporting for work, the man blocked her on all communication channels shortly after receiving the money.

She further claimed that he deleted his National Identification Number (NIN), which he had previously shared during their conversation.

See her post below……..

A football match in southern Thailand ended in tragedy after a player was struck by lightning during a heavy rainstorm, leaving him dead and 12 other players injured.

The deceased, Sofwan Awae, 24, was playing in a local football tournament when a bolt of lightning hit the pitch at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok on Tuesday, August 4.

Follow the Elizabethblog channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDQN5lI1rcbSgriLG2M

According to reports, the lightning struck while the match was being played in heavy rainfall.

Awae suffered critical injuries during the incident, prompting his teammates, who were wearing black-and-white kits, to immediately rush to his aid. They turned him onto his back and performed CPR as spectators gathered around the scene.

He was later transported to the hospital, where medical personnel fought to save his life.

Despite their efforts, Awae succumbed to his injuries.
Police confirmed that 12 players were also injured during the lightning strike, including a 22-year-old Malaysian national.

The injured victims were taken to Sungai Kolok Hospital for treatment, while Malaysian player Mohamad Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli later returned to Malaysia to continue receiving medical care.

Speaking on the incident, Sungai Golok Police Chief Thun Sirikhunt said:

“Although the emergency medical team made every effort to save him, the victim succumbed to severe injuries sustained in the incident.”

The game formed part of the Golok FA Cup, a local football competition featuring amateur clubs and Thai-Malaysian teams.

Tuesday’s fixture was between SAMCOLTS and Abu x Nong Sirin.

Awae played as a winger for SAMCOLTS and had recently signed for Yala FC, a club competing in Thailand’s third division.

Following the tragic incident, Yala FC paid tribute to the late footballer in a statement, saying:

“We extend our condolences to the family of our new FC Yala player, Sofwan Awae.”

The heartbreaking incident has sparked an outpouring of condolences from football fans and the wider sporting community.

According to Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, 283 people were struck by lightning across the country between 2020 and 2024, highlighting the dangers of outdoor activities during severe weather conditions.

The Yoruba movie industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of actress Temitope Osoba after her battle with breast cancer.

The heartbreaking news comes about two years after the actress publicly disclosed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery as part of her treatment.

Follow the Elizabethblog channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDQN5lI1rcbSgriLG2M

Temitope Osoba’s death was announced by her colleague, Alesh Ola Sanni, who paid an emotional tribute to the late actress on social media.

Sharing the sad news, he wrote:

“Couldn’t sleep since last night it’s well rest in peace my dearest sister Temitope Osoba we had amazing time and good memories together till we meet again. I really dunno what to say mehn gosh.”

The Nigerian Army has reportedly arrested two military personnel over their alleged involvement in an unauthorized deployment during the wedding ceremony of popular Nigerian TikTok personalities Peller and Jarvis.

According to a report by Sahara Reporters, the soldiers were identified as 23NA/85/10007 Private Onasanya Ifeoluwa of the 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 Private Ukpai Onyinyechi, who is also attached to the same unit in Obalende, Lagos.

Follow the Elizabethblog channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDQN5lI1rcbSgriLG2M


According to the report, military sources disclosed that the arrests followed intelligence indicating that the two personnel allegedly participated in an unauthorized deployment during the celebrity wedding held in Lekki, Lagos State, over the weekend.

A senior military source reportedly stated that both soldiers were arrested on Tuesday morning, while investigations into the incident commenced.

Speaking on the development, the source said:

“Following credible intelligence on the involvement of Nigerian Army personnel in illegal deployment during popular social influencer’s wedding known as Peller at Lekki, Lagos, the Group arrested 23NA/85/10007 PTE Onasanya Ifeoluwa of 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 PTE Ukpai Onyinyechi of 81DMSH at Obalende this morning.

“Preliminary investigation is ongoing to establish the extent of their involvement and identify other personnel connected with the incident. Further details will be forwarded as the investigation unfolds,”

A Nigerian woman and her children have regained their freedom after spending 180 days in the captivity of kidnappers in Kaduna State.

The heartbreaking development was shared by Facebook user Reuben Buhari, who recounted the family’s ordeal in a post that has since gone viral on social media.

According to the post, the woman was abducted while she was pregnant during an attack on Ariko village in Kaduna State.

Follow the Elizabethblog channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDQN5lI1rcbSgriLG2M

Reuben Buhari revealed that the woman went into labour while being held by the kidnappers and gave birth in the forest.

According to him, there was no medical assistance available, and the newborn’s umbilical cord was reportedly cut using someone’s teeth.

Sadly, the baby survived for only three weeks before dying in captivity.
The woman was eventually released alongside her three daughters after spending six months in captivity.

However, their journey to safety was filled with tragedy.

According to Reuben Buhari, the woman’s four-year-old daughter, Christy, became seriously ill while they were still in the kidnappers’ camp. The child reportedly developed swollen legs and eyes and was unable to walk.

Despite their own exhaustion, the woman and her 12-year-old daughter took turns carrying Christy as they trekked barefoot through the bush in search of safety.
The Facebook post further revealed that the family walked until nightfall and slept in the bush before continuing their journey the following morning.

Tragically, Christy died while they were still walking.

Despite the devastating loss, the grieving mother and her children reportedly continued carrying the child’s body until they reached a village in Kachia Local Government Area, where residents came to their aid.

The survivors were later moved to another community, where they are currently receiving medical attention before being transported to Kaduna for further care.
Sharing the update, Reuben Buhari wrote:

“Do you remember the woman from Ariko village who gave birth in the kidnappers’ den, and someone had to use her teeth to cut the umbilical cord? You remembered the child died after 3 weeks? Well…she is free now. She came out with her 3 remaining daughters after 180 days of captivity.

She was pregnant when she was kidnapped with Christy, her 4-year-old, and two other girls aged 6 and 12.

She got out on Saturday with her 3 children, but Christy, the 4-year-old, was very ill while still at the camp. Her eyes and legs were swollen, and she couldn’t walk at all, so they had to carry her.

Her mother carried her on her back. When she grew tired, she gave Christy to the 12-year-old to carry as well; though both were very weak, they continued to carry Christy that way. And all were walking barefoot.

They walked until it grew dark, and then they slept in the bush. In the morning, they continued their walk. But while they were walking, Christy, the sick 4-year-old, died. They continued with the dead child on their backs, still swapping when one got tired.

At one point, the mother became very weak, and it was the 12-year-old who continued to carry her 4-year-old dead sister on her back until they reached a village in Kachia LGA on Sunday afternoon, where some people came to their rescue. From there, they were moved to another village, where they are now receiving medical care to stabilise them before they are brought to Kaduna.

The remaining Ariko victims, including the 11 kidnapped from Awon village, are still in the kidnappers’ hands, and most of the remaining victims are emaciated like these. Pray for them please”

A nonprofit organization is planning to unveil a Christopher Columbus statue in Brooklyn, New York, this October as part of an effort to preserve Italian-American history and heritage.

According to reports, the project is being spearheaded by Chinese-American New York State Assemblyman Lester Chang (R-Brooklyn), who plans to place the monument on private property at the John Hughes Club in Dyker Heights.

Organizers say the location will help protect the statue from potential removal by city officials.

Follow the Elizabethblog channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDQN5lI1rcbSgriLG2M

Speaking about the initiative, Chang said the project is about supporting the community he represents.

“I’m Chinese, but this is my community, too,” Chang said.

He also reflected on his family’s history, explaining that his father, who immigrated from China in 1924, struggled to find employment before eventually being offered work at an Italian restaurant in Liberty, New York.

The coalition is currently seeking to raise $100,000 to cover the costs of constructing and maintaining the statue.

The initiative has also received support from New York Young Republican Club President Stefano Forte, whose organization has assisted with early fundraising efforts.

Forte criticized recent efforts to remove monuments dedicated to Christopher Columbus, saying:

“At a time when Italian-American history and culture are being erased by Mayor Mamdani, our club is highlighting one of the giants of American and Italian history, Christopher Columbus.”

As of the time of reporting, Mayor Mamdani’s office had not responded to requests for comment.

The coalition’s treasurer, Gregory Lendino, described Columbus as a longstanding symbol of pride for many Italian Americans.

“It didn’t matter if you were Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal. He was just an icon that we rallied around.”

Committee member Lori Pedone also shared her personal connection to the project, expressing hope that future generations of her family would be able to see the statue and appreciate their heritage.

“My grandparents would be ecstatic knowing that we’re trying to preserve history,” she said.

“My son was recently married. Maybe my grandchildren will one day be able to see that statue and be proud of it as well.”

Organizers say the Brooklyn monument is only the beginning. The coalition hopes to provide a permanent home for other monuments that may be removed from public spaces across the United States, arguing that placing them on private property is the most practical way to preserve them.

A Facebook user has publicly accused MTN Nigeria of poor network service following the death of a 43-year-old man identified as Mr. Nwatu, alleging that he was unable to contact his family while experiencing a medical emergency.

In a lengthy post shared on Facebook, Ivan Eagle Lawson claimed that the incident occurred in Minna, Niger State, where the deceased reportedly experienced severe chest tightness, shortness of breath, and weakness shortly after returning home from church.

Follow the Elizabethblog channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDQN5lI1rcbSgriLG2M

According to Lawson, Mr. Nwatu attempted to contact his wife through WhatsApp and by phone using the MTN network, but his calls and messages allegedly failed to connect despite having an active data subscription.

The Facebook user alleged that Mr. Nwatu repeatedly tried to regain network access by switching airplane mode on and off, but his messages remained pending.

Lawson further claimed that the deceased had an Airtel line, but the phone was out of battery at the time.

According to the account, neighbors eventually forced their way into the house after becoming concerned when Mr. Nwatu failed to respond to knocks on his door. They reportedly found him lying on the bedroom floor in distress.

The post claimed that before he could be transported to the hospital, Mr. Nwatu began convulsing and later died.

Lawson said the deceased was 43 years old and is survived by his 36-year-old wife, a teenage daughter, and two young sons under the age of nine.
He wrote: “MTN Nigeria thankyou very much for k!IIing Mr. Nwatu, based in Minna.

My very good follower’s husband.

Thankyou very much for ensuring that his WhatsApp calls and phone calls weren’t connecting when he started feeling chest tightness and weakness of his legs, and tried to call for someone to carry him to the hospital.

Thankyou very much for making a 36 year old woman a widow with 1 teenage daughter and 2 boys under 9 years old.

Mr. Nwatu woke up healthy this morning, went to church with his wife and after service by 2pm, returned home alone, leaving his both youngest kids with the wife who was attending some church women group get-together.

His 13 year old first daughter is currently in boarding school in Lagos.

What Mr. Nwatu didn’t immediately tell his wife was that he was beginning to have shortness of breath as he sat in the keke-napep back home.

What Mr. Nwatu didn’t tell his wife was that there was a persistent ringing sound behind his ears and a dull throbbing headache around his occiput.

Mr. Nwatu got home, took a paracetamol and tried to sleep but started feeling a crushing weight on his chest.

He tried to stand up and stroll to the kitchen thinking it was hunger; and realized his legs couldn’t support his body and he was laboring to breathe.

He opened his WhatsApp and tried to call his wife, but there was no network reception.

He texted her and it didn’t go.

It didn’t even tick once.

Just a pending timer despite switching in and out of airplane mode repeatedly.

He checked his MTN balance and saw he had over 8gb left.

Why then wasn’t he getting Internet access?

Mr. Nwatu has an Airtel number on his other phone, but the phone was dead due to flat battery.

Mr. Nwatu was forced to lay helpless on his rugged bedroom floor and try to catch his breath while praying for a miracle.

According to reports, the caretaker of the house they lived in showed up at their front door to deliver a message because he met the door locked from inside.

No one responded despite him persistently knocking and calling out.

Caretaker tried to call Mr. Nwatu on phone as the known head of the house, and finds Mr
Nwatu’s number unreachable.

Naturally he calls the wife and she tells him she’s attending an event within her church premises, but her hubby is at home.

Caretaker insists that no one is responding to his knocks at their front door.

Mrs Nwatu starts calling hubby and finds his both lines switched off and unreachable.

She tries WhatsApp.

Not reachable.

Wife panics and calls caretaker, but caretaker suddenly isn’t picking either.

She calls her next door neighbor and explains the situation to him.

Neighbor turns around the backyard to Mr. Nwatu’s window calling his name.

He hears a voice mumbling weakly from the inside.

One word:

‘Please call my wife’.

Neighbor panics, runs to call another neighbor and they break down the sitting room front door, sprint into the bedroom and find Mr. Nwatu lying on the floor, sweating profusely and breathing like a woman in labour.

While one of the neighbors calls his wife to get a Bolt cab on her way over, so they move Mr. Nwatu to the hospital, the other neighbor proceeds to ask him how he ended up on the floor, and Mr. Nwatu narrates to them how he got back from church with a persistent headache, tightness of the chest and shortness of breath— leading to his collapsing.

Before the wife shows up, Mr. Nwatu suddenly starts writhing, convulsing and foaming from the mouth.

Before all 3 of them can heft Mr. Nwatu’s limp body out into the cab his wife had hailed and rush her husband to the hospital, Mr. Nwatu had given up the ghost.

He was moved to the mortuary an hour ago.

Mr. Nwatu had almost 3 whole hours to save his life and have the opportunity to see Monday.

But MTN Nigeria stripped him of it.

He was only 43.

If you are a Nigerian reading this post, this MTN pandemic concerns you!!

Over the last 15 months, MTN Nigeria network quality has depreciated from the worst to unbelievably intolerable!

Especially their Internet service!!

You can only have manageable Internet access if you are using their optic fiber network broadband Internet service popularly known as MTN FibreX.

This service with modem costs between N30,000 to N45,000 to set-up, install and subscribe on as a first-time user, and subsequently N30,000 a month for their unlimited monthly plan.

How many struggling Nigerians can afford this in today’s economy?

MTN we are tired of dying because of inability to connect to the Internet on medical emergencies to save our lives.

MTN we are tired of buying data that crawls and trips off every 3 minutes of browsing.

Snail-paced data that you people drink and empty with the speed of a Cheetah on steroids.

MTN we are tired of toggling our flight mode on and off 20,000 times a day just to get network reception to receive good morning messages on WhatsApp.

How many more Mr. Jonah Nwatus will there be before you people give Nigerians value for our money?

How many more innocent women will you make widows?

If you are a Nigerian and this pops up on your feed, please share it and use the #MTNCOMPENSATEUS and #WEMUSTNOTBUYMTNFIBREX hashtag.

There is going to be a nationwide social media protest where Nigerians put their feet firmly down and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

There may be a March too.

ENOUGH OF THE CRAPPY, FRUSTRATING NETWORK AND EXORBITANT DATA RATES!!!!!!!

MTN NEEDS TO COMPENSATE US BY IMPROVING THEIR SERVICE, REDUCING THEIR DATA RATES AND PAYING EVERY VERIFIED NIGERIAN MTN CUSTOMER COMPENSATION OF AIRTIME, CASH OR DATA FOR ALL THE PAIN THEY HAVE CAUSED US!

WE MUST NOT ALL BUY THEIR MTN FIBRE-X.

There should be a USABLE package to suit every one’s budget.

Irrespective of your status in society as a Nigerian, FUNCTIONAL and EFFICIENT Internet access should NOT be a prayer point!!

We have endured this nonsense long enough and we are tired of losing our lives because MTN’s constantly BAD telecommunications service prevents us from communicating and getting help in moments of crisis and urgency.

I’m taking this campaign to X, TikTok and Instagram even though I’m not very active there”

An Israeli survivor of the October 7 Hamas attack has tragically died by suicide nearly three years after his girlfriend was killed during the deadly assault.

The deceased, identified as Bar Asraf, 30, was reportedly found dead on Saturday evening at the graveside of his late girlfriend, Liron Barda, in a cemetery in Elkana, located in the West Bank.

Follow the Elizabethblog channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDQN5lI1rcbSgriLG2M

According to reports, Asraf was discovered with a gunshot wound to his chest. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene but sadly pronounced him dead upon arrival.

Reports indicate that Asraf had struggled with the loss of Barda, who was among the victims killed when Hamas militants attacked the Nova Music Festival near the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. The attack claimed the lives of hundreds of people and left many others injured or traumatized.

Friends and those close to Asraf said he remained deeply connected to Barda’s memory following her death.

According to French-Jewish activist Jérémy Benhaïm, who shared news of Asraf’s passing on X, the 30-year-old frequently visited Barda’s parents and regularly paid tribute to her at her gravesite.

See below……..

A 32-year-old woman, Serena Desiree Dolnics, has been arrested after she allegedly st@bbed her father to death before removing his h@art from his chest during a gruesome incident at their home in Valparaiso, Indiana.

According to authorities, Dolnics was booked into jail early Monday on a murder charge following the discovery of her 69-year-old father, Gregory Dolnics, inside their residence.

Follow the Elizabethblog channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDQN5lI1rcbSgriLG2M

Police said officers were dispatched to the home at around 8 p.m. on Sunday after concerned family members reported that they had been unable to contact either Serena or her father.

While one of the relatives was speaking with a 911 operator, they reportedly began receiving calls and text messages from one of Serena’s friends, who allegedly made the disturbing discovery.

When officers forced their way into the home, they reportedly found Serena covered in blood.
According to investigators, Gregory Dolnics was found lying lifeless on the floor beside blood-stained furniture.

Authorities said he had suffered multiple slash wounds to his head, face, the back of his neck, and his hands.

Police also alleged that his heart had been removed and was found lying on his body.

Investigators recovered three bl00d-stained knives from the residence, according to reports.

According to online jail records from the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, officers observed cuts on Serena’s hands when they arrived.

She reportedly claimed the injuries were caused by gardening tools.

Police documents further state that Serena told investigators she and her father generally had a good relationship despite occasional disagreements.

According to investigators, she stated:

“she and her dad get along so well but have small tiffs here and there and that they both get over it quickly,”

Police added in their report:

“Serena stated that she did not observe Gregory injured or hurt at all,”
Serena appeared in court via video on Thursday wearing a suicide-prevention vest, where she pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.

When asked whether she planned to hire an attorney, she reportedly responded:

“I’ll figure it out.”

A judge ordered that she remain in custody without bond.

She is scheduled to return to court for a hearing regarding her legal representation.
According to reports, Dolnics has a prior criminal record that includes a guilty plea related to substance abuse in 2024, a conviction for driving while intoxicated in 2017, and a public intoxication offense in 2016.

The case remains under investigation, and Serena Dolnics is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.