Latest news with #PolokwaneHighCourt
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
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Man sentenced to 222 years for rape and robbery
Notorious rapist and sexual offender, Lesley Morwamashobe Mohlala, has been handed a heavy sentence of 222 years imprisonment for rape and robbery. Mohlala has long terrorised communities across Nebo and Hlogotlou policing areas in Sekhukhune District. In the areas, he targeted government buildings, clinics, traffic stations, public works offices and various other public facilities. In March 2018, the 33-year-old Mohlala was arrested at Hlogotlou SAPS for rape and his bail application was rejected. A few months down the line, in October in the same year, Mohlala escaped from lawful custody while being transported to Witbank Prison. During his escape, Mohlala committed various crimes, including robbing security officers of their firearms and cell phones and stealing money and valuables from other victims. In April 2023, he was re-arrested by the Nebo Jane Furse tracking team at a Jane Furse hiding place and charged with eight robberies. Additionally, DNA evidence linked him to 2 additional rape cases that occurred while he was an unknown suspect. The Polokwane High Court found Mohlala guilty on 23 counts and sentenced him to a total of 222 years' imprisonment. 'The court ordered that 10 years imprisonment on count 1 does not run concurrently with counts 2 to 25, with a minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment on counts 2 to 25,' read the police statement. The police arrested a 47-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man for allegedly abusing their two daughters, aged two and eight, in Bloubergstrand, Western Cape, on Tuesday, 10 June 2025. According to Arrive Alive, the suspects are facing multiple charges which include child pornography, rape, sexual assault, and sexual grooming. A multidisciplinary team comprising members of the National and Western Cape Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Units, officials from the Department of Social Development (DSD), supported by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), located the suspects at a residence identified through joint investigative efforts. The two victims were rescued and placed in a place of safety. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest 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.'
