Limpopo, South African Woman Sentenced to Life for Orchestrating Father’s Murder Over Alleged Use of Witchcraft
- Victor Nwoko
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
A 28-year-old woman has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her father, a senior official at the Limpopo Department of Education, in a case that has stunned the community with its chilling mix of family betrayal and superstition.
Mologadi Magdeline Mehlape appeared before the Polokwane High Court on Wednesday, where she pleaded guilty to the premeditated killing of her father, Dr. Malekutu Johannes Mehlape, a respected Circuit Manager. The murder took place on 28 December 2023, just days after Christmas and ahead of New Year’s celebrations.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the court sentenced Mologadi to life in prison for murder and an additional 15 years for robbery. The sentences will run concurrently.
Four co-accused — Tshepo Gabriel Ranoto, Hlologelo Klaas Mogotlane, Mahlodi Melida Mathole (all aged 34), and Michael Sello Molongoane (42) — face separate charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Their trial has been postponed to 20 June 2025 at the Polokwane High Court.
In a revelation that added a dark layer to the case, Malabi-Dzhangi stated that Mologadi claimed her father was responsible for her mother’s death through the use of "muthi" (traditional medicine), a claim allegedly made by co-accused Hlologelo Klaas Mogotlane, identified as a traditional healer.
When traditional attempts at retaliation failed, Mologadi allegedly conspired with family members to hire a hitman, agreeing to pay R200,000 for the murder. On the night of the killing, she unlocked the gate and main entrance of the family home, allowing the killers access. Dr. Mehlape was ambushed while asleep in his bedroom, shot multiple times, and robbed of personal items including his cellphone.
Police later impounded a Ford Ranger double cab believed to be the vehicle used in the crime. A firearm suspected to be the murder weapon was recovered in Zebediela.
During sentencing, Mologadi attempted to express remorse, citing unresolved personal issues with her father and noting that she is the primary caregiver to her young child. However, State Advocate Muneiwa Ratshibvumo dismissed the apology, arguing that her guilty plea was prompted by overwhelming evidence rather than genuine contrition. The prosecutor described the murder as “gruesome and heartless,” urging the court to impose the maximum penalty.
The NPA praised the outcome, highlighting it as a demonstration of its commitment to justice. “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.
As the nation prepares to observe Father’s Day, this case serves as a sobering reminder of how twisted family dynamics, superstition, and violence can intertwine with devastating consequences.
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