POLOKWANE: A teacher, aged 45, has received a sentence of 17 years in prison for the calculated murder of Dr. Malekutu Johannes Mehlape, who served as a Circuit Manager in the Limpopo Department of Education.
Mahlodi Melida Mathole was sentenced at the Polokwane High Court after admitting guilt in the killing of Mehlape, who was fatally shot in his residence located in Mankweng Zone 1, near Polokwane, on December 28, 2023.
Mathole entered a guilty plea under a Section 105A plea and sentence agreement as provided by the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, acknowledging that her actions were part of a common intention and that the murder was premeditated.
In her statement to the court, Mathole explained that her motivation for the murder stemmed from her belief that Mehlape was linked to her sister’s death, who was the mother of Mologadi Mehlape.
The plea statement revealed that family members were convinced her sister had been poisoned, spurring Mathole into seeking vengeance against Mehlape.
Mathole then consulted with a traditional healer named Hlologelo Klaas Mogotlane, requesting “muthi” to facilitate the killing of Mehlape.
She later learned that the deceased’s daughter and others were allegedly arranging for armed men to carry out the attack and kill him.
The court heard that Mathole transferred R600 to Mogotlane to assist with fuel costs for the vehicle transporting the alleged hitmen to Mehlape’s residence.
She further reached out to Mogotlane, instructing him not to misidentify the target, as two men were present at the property, clarifying that Mehlape was the intended target.
The armed assailants proceeded to Mehlape’s home and shot him multiple times.
Mehlape suffered numerous gunshot wounds, inclusive of fatal injuries to the head, and succumbed on the scene.
Mathole acknowledged that her involvement was directly linked to the execution of the murder.
During the sentencing phase, Judge Gert Muller voiced concern regarding the increasing prevalence of murders, suggesting that taking a life seemed as simple as making a choice in a store.
The court ultimately found Mathole guilty of murder, issuing a sentence of 25 years, with eight years suspended.
This means she will serve a total of 17 years in direct imprisonment.
Mathole’s co-accused, Tshepo Gabriel Ranoto, 34, and Michael Sello Molongoane, 42, appeared in the same case.
Ranoto and Molongoane are facing charges related to conspiracy to commit murder, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Their case has been separated from Mathole’s and is scheduled to be heard from November 2 to 13, 2026, at the Polokwane High Court.
The National Prosecuting Authority has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of Mathole.
Advocate Ivy Thenga, Limpopo Director of Public Prosecutions, hailed the efforts of Advocate Ratshibvumo for effectively handling the prosecution.
Thenga also commended the diligence of the former Limpopo Provincial Investigation Unit, specifically Colonel Richard Boshomane, Captain Phaladi Mokola, and Sergeant Chuene Mokwele, for their thorough investigative efforts which aided in achieving the conviction.
