Latest news with #Malabi-Dzhangi
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Daughter pleads guilty to brutal murder father in Limpopo
A traditional healer alleged that her father was responsible for her mother's death through the use of 'muthi'. With Father's Day just a few days away, a 28-year-old woman has been convicted after pleading guilty to the brutal murder of her father, a Circuit Manager at the Limpopo Department of Education. Mologadi Magdeline Mehlape appeared in the Polokwane High Court on Wednesday, where she was found guilty of murdering her father, Dr Malekutu Johannes Mehlape The incident occurred at Malekutu's home in Mankweng Zone 1, outside Polokwane, on 28 December 2023. Conviction National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said Mologadi was convicted on charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. 'The court sentenced her to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years' imprisonment for robbery, with the sentences to run concurrently.' Malabi-Dzhangi said that four other accused, 34-year-olds Tshepo Gabriel Ranoto, Hlologelo Klaas Mogotlane, Mahlodi Melida Mathole, and 42-year-old Michael Sello Molongoane, appeared alongside Mologadi in court. ALSO READ: Pakistani national spaza shop owner arrested in murder case of 14-year-old Likhona Fose 'They face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The trial for these accused has been separated and postponed to 20 June 2025 in the Polokwane High Court.' Murder Malabi-Dzhangi said during Mologadi's appearance in the dock, the court heard the grim details of how she orchestrated her father's murder following claims made by Mogotlane (Accused 3), a traditional healer, who alleged that her father was responsible for her mother's death through the use of 'muthi'. '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, Mehlape 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,' Malabi-Dzhangi said. Sentence Malabi-Dzhangi said a Ford Ranger double cab, believed to have been used during the crime, was seized during the arrests in Mankweng, and a firearm allegedly used in the killing was recovered during an arrest in Zebediela. In mitigation, Mologadi apologised to her family, noting that she is the primary caregiver of her one-year-nine-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. Violent crimes Malabi-Dzhangi said 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. 'This outcome underscores the NPA's unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and securing justice for victims and their families,' Malabi-Dzhangi said. ALSO READ: Elderly mother and son shot dead in KZN
IOL News
16-05-2025
- IOL News
Limpopo father and friend sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his daughters
A 39-year-old father together with his friend have been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his two daughters. A 39-year-old Limpopo father together with his 36-year-old friend have been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his two daughters. The High Court in Polokwane convicted the duo on multiple charges including rape, sexual exploitation, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The girls, who were just nine and 11 years old at the time of the incidents in 2022, bravely testified against their biological father and his accomplice in a trial that revealed the deeply disturbing abuse they endured. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, said another 68-year-old accused, Diedrick Schannes Roux, died by suicide after he shot himself shortly before trial commenced. Malabi-Dzhangi said the three men were renting farms around the Letsitele area. She said the men pleaded not guilty to the charges except the two charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. During the trial, State prosecutor Advocate Lerato Mohlaka called six witnesses including the young victims, who bravely testified in camera, shielded from the public eye. "They told the court that their biological parents are divorced, and the mother left them with their father. Around 2022, in Letsitele, their remedial teacher gave them homework to write her a letter about what made them happy or sad. This exercise ultimately exposed the brutal abuse they were subjected to at their home," explained Malabi-Dzhangi. The girls also reported that they were raped on some occasions by Zimbabwean men employed by their father at the farm, after he failed to pay them their salaries. The Zimbabwean men are still at large Following their conviction, the two men mitigated their sentences, arguing that the children were brainwashed hence they were implicating them. When arguing for life imprisonment, Mohlaka, argued that there were no substantial and compelling factors justifying a lesser sentence as the men have demonstrated no remorse, sympathy nor empathy towards the minor victims, for their barbaric and inhumane actions. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
13-05-2025
- IOL News
NPA official accused of raping 16-year-old girl denied bail
The Dzanani Magistrates' Court in Limpopo where a senior NPA official was denied bail on multiple rape charges involving a minor. Image: File photo. A senior official from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo has been denied bail after appearing in the Dzanani Magistrate's Court on Monday for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl over three years. The 47-year-old man, whose identity is being withheld to protect the minor victim, faces 10 counts of rape. The offences are alleged to have occurred since 2022, when the victim was only 13 years old. NPA Regional Spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the accused was arrested on April 29, 2025, after the 16-year-old disclosed the abuse to her mother. "This latest incident prompted her to report to the mother, who then notified the uncle, and the matter was then reported to Dzanani police station, and the accused was arrested," said Malabi-Dzhangi. In a scathing ruling, the court emphasised the gravity of the charges and the potential risks of releasing the accused. 'The state has a strong case, and there is a likelihood that the accused can interfere with the state witnesses,' the court ruled. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'The safety of the accused can be compromised, and his release can cause public disorder. The onus is on the applicant to prove that exceptional circumstances do exist, and that the interests of justice permit the applicant to be released on bail.' The court found that the accused failed to meet this requirement and consequently dismissed his bail application. The matter has been postponed to June 25, 2025, for further investigations. The accused remains in custody. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The Citizen
13-05-2025
- The Citizen
Limpopo senior NPA official denied bail in multiple child rape case
The court cited a strong prosecution case and potential witness interference by the NPA official. A senior official from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) accused of child rape will remain in custody after the Dzanani Magistrate's Court in Limpopo denied his bail application on Monday. The 47-year-old man, who works in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Limpopo division, faces 10 counts of rape involving a minor. Rape accused NPA official bail request denied The court rejected the bail application after determining the accused failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances warranting his release. Both the accused and the victim remain unnamed to protect the young victim's identity. 'The state has a strong case, and there is a likelihood that the accused can interfere with state witnesses,' the magistrate stated during the judgment. 'The safety of the accused can be compromised, and his release can cause public disorder.' According to NPA Regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the official was arrested on 29 April 2025. The official's arrest follows a revelation by the victim, now 16, who disclosed to her mother that she had been sexually assaulted repeatedly since 2022. The abuse started when the victim was just 13 years old. 'The latest incident prompted her to report to the mother, who then notified the uncle, and the matter was then reported to Dzanani Police Station,' Malabi-Dzhangi explained. ALSO READ: Court criticises father who impregnated daughter as rape sentence appeal rejected Legal arguments centred on 'exceptional circumstances' During proceedings, the court emphasised that the burden of proof in such serious cases rests entirely with the accused. 'The onus is on the applicant to prove that exceptional circumstances do exist, and that the interests of justice permit the applicant to be released on bail,' the court noted before concluding that the accused had not met this threshold. The case highlights the strict bail requirements in South Africa for sexual offences involving minors, which fall under Schedule 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act. The accused will remain in custody until his next court appearance on 25 June 2025, as investigations continue. Malabi-Dzhangi confirmed that more details would be released as the case progresses through the judicial system. NOW READ: 'Judge erred' – NPA to appeal Timothy Omotoso's acquittal
