Latest news with #MologadiMagdelineMehlape
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Woman jailed for life after killing her father she believed used 'muthi' to kill her mother
IOL Mologadi Magdeline Mehlape pleaded guilty to the murder of her father, Dr Malekutu Johannes Mehlape, Picture: NPA A 28-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to killing her father because she believed he was responsible for the death of her mother has been jailed to life imprisonment. Mologadi Magdeline Mehlape was sentenced in the Polokwane High Court on Wednesday. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said despite Mehlape's guilty plea, the court imposed the prescribed minimum sentence because the State believed the guilty plea was motivated by overwhelming evidence rather than genuine remorse. Mehlape killed her father Dr Malekutu Johannes Mehlape, who was a Circuit Manager at the Limpopo Department of Education on December 28, 2023. The NPA Mehlape orchestrated the murder following claims made by 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," explained NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi. The court heard that on the night of the murder Mehlape unlocked the gate and main door, granting the perpetrators access to the house. Malekutu was ambushed in his bedroom while asleep, shot multiple times, and robbed of several valuables, including his cellphone. 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. Four others were also arrested in connection with the murder including traditional healer Mahlodi Melida Mathole, 34. The other three accused are Tshepo Gabriel Ranoto, Hlologelo Klaas Mogotlane, both 34, and Michael Sello Molongoane,42. Their trials have been separated and expected to appear in court on June 20, 2025 for trial. They face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. In mitigation, Mehlape apologised to her family, noting that she is the primary caregiver of her toddler daughter and had unresolved disputes with her father. IOL News
TimesLIVE
2 days 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.'
