Daughter pleads guilty in Limpopo court to killing her dad
Mologadi Magdalene Mehlape has pleaded guilty to the brutal murder of her father and circuit manager, Dr. Johannes Mehlape.
The 28-year old’s plea was handed in at the Polokwane High Court in Limpopo yesterday.
The court convicted and sentenced her to life imprisonment for the murder and 15 years imprisonment for robbery.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the sentences will run concurrently.
Mehlape and four other accused killed and robbed her father at his house in Mankweng outside Polokwane in December 2023.
The deceased was a circuit manager at the Limpopo Department of Education.
"Accused, the daughter to the disease, 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," says Malabi-Dzhangi.
"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."
The other accused include Tshepo Gabriel Ranoto (34), traditional healer Klaas Mogotlane (34), Mahlodi Melida Mathole (34) and Michael Sello Molongoane (42).
They face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Their trial has been separated and postponed to 20 June.
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