Five suspects arrested in connection with the murder case of Department of Education Circuit Manager Dr Malekutu Johannes Mehlape(56), who was shot-dead, while in his house at Mankweng Zone1, on 28 December last year appeared at the Mankweng Magistrate court on Thursday. Two of the suspects were arrested recently while the other three including his deceased?s daughter were already in police custody.
The suspects are facing charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm .
SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the suspects include a school principal, who is also the sister in-law of the deceased, Mahlodi Melida Mathole (42) and Sello Michael Molongoane (49), Hlolofelo Mogotlane, (33), Tshepo Ranoto, (34) and Mologadi Mehlape (28) .
"Following further investigation, two suspects were arrested separately, on Wednesday, 24 January 2024. The principal aged 42 was arrested at Moremadi Park after a warrant of arrest was issued. Then, positive leads resulted in the arrest of a 49-year-old man, who was found in his hiding spot at Mahwelereng Zone1. He was found in possession of ammunition and a 9mm firearm with grinded serial number."Ledwaba said the police believe that the recovered firearm was used during the murder of Dr Mehlape.
"During the arrest, a double cab Ford Ranger, which was allegedly used to commit the crime, was also confiscated. The police investigations are still ongoing," he said.
Ledwaba said Mehlape?s daughter had initially told police she was ambushed when she returned home and forced inside the house. "She said the suspects demanded to know the whereabouts of Mehlape and robbed one of two people they had rounded up inside the house,? said Ledwaba.
The armed suspects allegedly combed the house, found Mehlape and demanded cash. After he gave them cash, they allegedly shot him and fled from the scene.
?The police investigations are still ongoing and more arrests are expected,? he said.
The suspects were all remanded in police custody and the matter was postponed to next week Thursday for formal bail application and further police investigations.
