The Polokwane High Court has sentenced Mahlodi Melida Mathole, a 45-year old teacher, for her role in the murder of her brother in law.
The brother- in-law was Dr Malekutu Johannes Mehlape, who was a Circuit Manager in the Limpopo Department of Education.
Dr Mehlape was shot and killed at his home in Mankweng Zone 1 outside Polokwane on 28 December 2023. Mathole admitted responsibility for her involvement in the crime and entered a guilty plea before the court.
According to information presented in court, Mathole believed that Dr Mehlape was responsible for the death of her sister who was the mother of Mologadi Mehlape. Driven by this belief, she sought assistance from a traditional healer, Hlologelo Klaas Mogotlane and became involved in a plan to have him killed.
The court heard that she contributed R600 towards transporting the people who would carry out the murder after becoming aware that the deceased’s daughter and others were allegedly arranging for armed men to kill Dr Mehlape.
She also helped identify Dr Mehlape as the intended target to ensure that the wrong person was not attacked.The killers later went to Dr Mehlape’s home, where he was shot several times.
He died at the scene from gunshot wounds.While delivering sentence, Judge Gert Muller commented on the seriousness of the crime, expressing concern about how easily people seem willing to arrange the killing of another person.
Despite these concerns, the court accepted the plea and sentencing agreement concluded between the State and the accused.
Mathole was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment. However, eight years of the sentence were suspended, leaving her with an effective prison term of 17 years.
Two co-accused , Tshepo Gabriel Ranoto(34) and Michael Sello Molongoane(42), are still facing charges linked to the matter. Their case has been separated from Mathole’s and will continue in the Polokwane High Court from 2nd to 13th November 2026.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the outcome of the case and praised both the prosecution and investigating team for their efforts in securing the conviction.
