Two women in custody for 'beating friend to death over R1,000 theft'
Two women have been remanded in custody for the alleged murder of their friend, who they accused of stealing R1,000 in Mpumalanga.
Lungile Khumalo, 25, and Queen Nhleko, 26, appeared in the Standerton magistrate's court on Monday. Their case was postponed to June 18 for a formal bail application.
Provincial police spokesperson Lt-Col Jabu Ndubane said: 'The incident took place on June 6 at Sakhile. It is alleged that a 35-year-old woman was walking with her male friend when they were stopped by the two women who were friends with the victim [woman].
'They accused her of stealing R1,000 at a party they attended together.
'The suspects reportedly took the victim and her male friend to a shack belonging to one of the suspect's boyfriend and upon arrival started assaulting them using an electric cable cord, shovel and further used a knife to stab them while demanding their money.'
Ndubane said after realising that the woman was unconscious, the suspects took her to a clinic.
'The woman was certified dead. She had a knife wound on her back, bruises and a swollen head. Police were called to the scene and the suspects were arrested. They are facing charges of murder and attempted murder.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
Daughter sentenced to life after pleading guilty to murder of her father
The Polokwane High Court has sentenced Mologadi Magdeline Mehlape to life imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to the brutal murder of her father, Dr Malekutu Johannes Mehlape, in 2023. Dr Mehlape was circuit manager at the Limpopo education department Mehlape, 28, was convicted of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. In addition to life imprisonment for murder, she was sentenced to 15 years for robbery. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said on Wednesday. The trial of four other accused — Tshepo Gabriel Ranoto, 34, Hlologelo Klaas Mogotlane, 34, Mahlodi Melida Mathole, 34, and Michael Sello Molongoane, 42 — was separated from that of Mehlape on Wednesday. They face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Their trial was postponed until June 20. 'The court heard that Mehlape, who is the daughter of the deceased, orchestrated the murder following claims made by a traditional healer, Mogotlane, who alleged that her father was responsible for her mother's death through the use of 'muti'. 'When attempts to retaliate using traditional means failed, Mehlape enlisted the help of various family members to hire a contract killer, agreeing to pay R200,000 for the murder.' On the night of the incident at her father's home in Mankweng Zone 1, outside Polokwane, on December 28 2023, the accused unlocked the gate and main door, granting the perpetrators access to the house. 'The deceased was ambushed in his bedroom while asleep, shot multiple times, and robbed of several valuables, including his cellphone.' In mitigation of sentence, Mehlape apologised to her family and said she was the primary caregiver of her21-month old daughter and had unresolved disputes with her father. However, state advocate Muneiwa Ratshibvumo argued that the guilty plea was motivated by overwhelming evidence rather than genuine remorse. She described the murder as 'gruesome and heartless,' urging the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence. 'The NPA welcomes the conviction and life sentence, viewing it as a clear affirmation of the justice system's resolve to hold perpetrators of serious and violent crimes accountable.'


The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
North West pastor sentenced to 15 years in jail for armed robbery
A local pastor, Petrus Phuthego Gasengake, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of a violent robbery at the home of a female congregant in Ramosadi Village near Mmabatho in the North West. The Molopo Regional Court handed down the sentence after Gasengake, 48, was found guilty of robbery with aggravating circumstances. According to an NPA media statement, the incident took place on 4 April 2021, when Gasengake visited the home of a woman from his church. Upon arriving, he ignored two other people in the house and headed straight for the victim's bedroom. An argument soon escalated, during which Gasengake attacked the woman, choking her and threatening her with a knife. He stole R4,000 in cash, her bank cards, and the keys to her car. He then fled the scene using the stolen vehicle. After the robbery, Gasengake drove to his home in Lichtenburg, where he stabbed his wife without any provocation. He then fled the area, prompting police to open cases of robbery and attempted murder. Two days later, on 6 April Gasengake was arresteed in Vryburg after the stolen vehicle was traced. The victim positively identified him during a police lineup. Gasengake was also previously convicted in November 2022 for the attempted murder of his wife, for which he received a 10-year sentence. This latest robbery conviction adds to his growing list of criminal offenses. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

IOL News
7 hours ago
- IOL News
Pastor who robbed and choked female congregant sentenced to 15 years
A North West pastor has been sentenced to an effective 15 years in jail for robbery with aggravating circumstances. Petrus Phuthego Gasengake was sentenced in the Molopo Regional Court on Tuesday. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Gasengake, a pastor at a local church, was convicted in connection with a violent incident that took place on April 4, 2021, at the home of a female congregant in Ramosadi Village near Mmabatho in the North West. NPA regional spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya, said Gasengake entered the complainant's home, bypassed two individuals present, and proceeded to her bedroom. "An argument broke out during which he choked the complainant and threatened her with a knife," said Gunya. He then stole R4,000 in cash, bank cards, and car keys before fleeing the scene in the victim's vehicle. Following the robbery, Gasengake drove to his home in Lichtenburg, where he stabbed his wife without provocation.