The sister-in-law of Limpopo Department of Education Circuit Manager Dr Malekutu Johannes Mehlape has been sentenced to an effective 17 years in prison for his murder.
According to Limpopo NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi, 45-year-old teacher Mahlodi Melida Mathole was sentenced by the Polokwane High Court after pleading guilty to the murder of Mehlape.
The murder took place at the deceased’s home in Mankweng Zone 1, outside Polokwane, on 28 December 2023.
Malabi said Mathole pleaded guilty in terms of Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, as amended. She admitted that she acted in furtherance of a common purpose and that the murder was premeditated.
In her plea statement, Mathole said that following the death of her sister, who was the mother of Mologadi Mehlape, family members believed that Mehlape had poisoned her.
According to Malabi, Mathole said she was motivated by a desire to avenge her sister’s death and approached traditional healer Hlologelo Klaas Mogotlane, asking him for muthi to kill Mehlape.
Mathole later became aware that Mehlape’s daughter and other people were allegedly arranging for armed men to kill him.
Malabi said Mathole transferred R600 to Mogotlane to cover diesel costs for the vehicle transporting the hitmen to Mehlape’s home.
She later contacted Mogotlane and warned him not to target the wrong person because there were two men at the homestead. She identified Mehlape as the intended victim.
The hitmen subsequently went to Mehlape’s home and shot him several times.
He sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the head and died at the scene.
Mathole admitted that her actions directly contributed to the commission of the murder.
During sentencing, Judge Gert Muller said that although he understood the plea and sentence agreement reached between the parties, it appeared as though taking a person’s life had become as easy as going to the shops and choosing who should be killed.
The court convicted Mathole and sentenced her to 25 years’ imprisonment, with eight years suspended, resulting in an effective 17-year direct prison sentence for murder.
Two other accused, Tshepo Gabriel Ranoto, 34, and Michael Sello Molongoane, 42, appeared alongside Mathole.
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 from Mathole’s case and has been postponed to 2 to 13 November 2026 in the Polokwane High Court.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the conviction and sentence.
Limpopo Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Ivy Thenga commended prosecutor Advocate Ratshibvumo for the successful prosecution.
She also praised members of the former Limpopo Provincial Investigation Unit, Colonel Richard Boshomane, Captain Phaladi Mokola and Sergeant Chuene Mokwele, for their diligent investigative work, which contributed to securing the conviction.
Malabi said the NPA welcomed the outcome of the case and commended all those involved in ensuring that Mathole was brought to justice.
