A convicted criminal already serving a 40-year prison sentence has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Mankweng businessman Tebogo Mothapo.
Ntsiri Justice Mashiane, 36, was arrested on Wednesday morning by members of the Limpopo Provincial Tracking Team and Provincial Investigation Unit.
Mashiane, who is serving his sentence at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre for an unrelated matter, was arrested after police obtained a warrant for his arrest.
He appeared before the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, where the warrant was executed and he was formally charged.
Mashiane faces six charges — conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of unlicensed ammunition and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
He was joined in the dock by his three co-accused, Osama Asad, 27, Kagontle Moshibudi Sina Bopape, 19, and Happy Maponya, 30.
The charges relate to the murder of 43-year-old Mothapo, who was attacked and shot dead in the Mankweng policing precinct on 16 December 2025.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Asad was arrested first on 20 July 2026 at Ga-Mothapo, Tjatjaneng.
Bopape was arrested on 30 August, while Maponya was arrested on 1 September at Ga-Thoka village in the Mankweng policing area.
Asad was subsequently granted R10,000 bail subject to strict conditions.
He was ordered to report to Mokopane police station, where he will reside, and may not leave Limpopo without permission from the investigating officer. He was also ordered to surrender his passport.
Maponya’s matter was postponed to 17 September for a formal bail application.
Mashiane abandoned his bail application, while Bopape is expected back in court on 14 September for a formal bail application.
Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant-General Jan Scheepers commended the Provincial Tracking Team and Provincial Investigation Unit for their continued efforts to track down everyone allegedly involved in Mothapo’s murder.
The investigation continues.
