Hlompho Mohapi murder: Pastor and co found guilty

Update

GEORGE NEWS - All three the accused in the Mohapi murder trial were found guilty of the premeditated murder of the 25-year-old Hlompho Mohapi (Koloi) in the George Circuit High Court last Thursday, 2 September.

Of the 29 charges against accused number one, Melisiswe Monqo (33), he was acquitted on three: two of attempted murder and one of conspiracy to commit murder.

Monqo's wife and co-accused, Siphoshile Pamba (26), who was facing 26 charges, was acquitted on the same three charges as her husband.

Accused number three, Phumlani Quesheka (31), faced 11 charges. He was acquitted of five charges: four of fraud and one of conspiracy to commit murder. Monqo and Pamba were found guilty of no less than 13 fraud charges and together the trio were convicted of a number of other serious charges including murder, kidnapping and defeating or obstructing justice.

During his judgement, Honourable Judge Taswell Papier said all three accused's testimonies were inconsistent and contradictory, which rendered them non-credible witnesses.

He said that Pamba's testimony was riddled with contradictions and inconsistencies and that she had had more than enough opportunities to tell someone about the battered woman situation she alleged to have been in.

An emotional moment shared between state prosecutor, Adv Evadne Kortjé, and Mohapi's mother, Patricia Koloi, while the convicted Siphoshile Pamba looks on.

Mohapi had seven fatal stab wounds to her chest and her throat was slit during what appears to be nothing more than a money-driven murder.

Her butchered body was found by a passing fisherman next to the gravel road leading to Voëlklip on 5 July 2018, while her mother was attending a funeral in Lesotho.

Fraudulent life and funeral policies to the value of R3-million were taken out on Mohapi's life shortly before she was murdered. The trio allegedly also attempted to kill three other women using a similar modus operandi in the Eastern Cape in 2017 and 2018.

She had been lured to a fake job interview at the George airport, after which she was taken to Herold's Bay where she was viciously murdered and her body discarded and left to be found.

The convicted murderers in court. From left are Melisiswe Monqo, Siphoshile Pamba and Monqo's cousin, Phumlani Quesheka. Photos: Kristy Kolberg

The three accused, who have all been in custody since shortly after the murder, are now awaiting sentencing procedures that are scheduled to start on 15 November.

"It has been a very long road and I am happy they have been found guilty," said Mohapi's mother, Patricia Koloi, shortly after judgement. "I wish I could take the key and throw it into the ocean. Nothing will bring my daughter back, but now I can try to move on with my life."

Adv Evadne Kortjé represented the state while Att Louise Luterek represented Pamba and Quesheka. Luterek initially only represented Quesheka, but after Pamba's legal representative, Adv Dawie Scholtz, fell terminally ill, she took over Pamba's representation. Monqo was represented by Adv Johan Visser (SC).

Throughout court proceedings Mohapi's mother, Patricia Koloi (third from the left), had the constant support of her friends and family. With her are, from left: Keneuwe Precious Motaung, Yonela Dumezweni and Jazz Avuzo Jankies.