The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng has welcomed the conviction of Rassie Nkuna and former South African Police Service (SAPS) member Jacob Chego for the 2022 murders of Lucky Mogashoa and his pregnant wife, Sabeliwe Mogashoa.

The party said judgment, handed down by the Pretoria High Court on Wednesday, marks a major development in a case that has been linked to the criminal network allegedly responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Hillary Gardee, the daughter of EFF Deputy President Godrich Gardee.

The EFF described the conviction as an important victory for justice and accountability, saying it reaffirmed the principle that no one is above the law.

The party said the ruling represented a significant step towards justice for the families affected by a series of violent crimes that shook communities in Mpumalanga and beyond.

The court found Nkuna and Chego guilty of their involvement in the brutal killing of the Mogashoa couple in March 2022. According to evidence presented during the trial, the victims were lured under false pretences before being kidnapped and murdered.

The case attracted national attention not only because of the gruesome nature of the killings but also because of allegations linking some of the accused to the murder of Hillary Gardee, who was kidnapped and killed in April 2022.

The EFF expressed particular concern about the role played by Chego, who was a serving police officer at the time of the crimes.

“The conviction of a former SAPS member highlights the serious threat posed by criminal elements operating within institutions that are supposed to protect communities,” the party said.

The court also revoked Chego’s bail and ordered that he be remanded in custody pending sentencing.

EFF Gauteng Provincial Chairperson, Nkululeko Dunga, said the verdict was a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for victims and their families.

“The conviction of Rassie Nkuna and Jacob Chego is a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the Mogashoa family and all victims affected by this criminal network. For far too long, families have endured immense pain while waiting for accountability. We welcome the Court’s judgment as confirmation that those responsible for these heinous crimes cannot escape the consequences of their actions,” said Dunga.

He added that the involvement of a former police officer in the crimes represented a betrayal of public trust and underscored the need to eliminate corruption and criminality within state institutions.

The party noted that the circumstances surrounding the murders were particularly disturbing. The party said the Mogashoa couple’s young children, aged three and four at the time, were allegedly abandoned in the bush after their parents were kidnapped and killed.

According to the EFF, the case exposed a pattern of violence directed at women and vulnerable members of society, with links emerging between the Mogashoa murders and the later killing of Gardee.

The party argued that the conviction confirmed long-held concerns that Nkuna was part of a broader criminal network responsible for multiple violent crimes.

While welcoming the guilty verdict, the EFF said the legal process was not yet complete and called for all remaining investigations and court proceedings to continue without interference.

Sentencing has been scheduled for 10 August 2026.

The party urged community organisations, gender justice activists and members of the public to continue supporting the affected families and to maintain interest in the case as it moves to the sentencing phase.

“The severity of these crimes demands a sentence that reflects the immense suffering inflicted upon the victims and serves as a deterrent to those who believe they can act with impunity,” the EFF said.

The party also extended its solidarity to both the Mogashoa and Gardee families, commending them for their perseverance in seeking justice despite years of delays, obstacles and pain.

With the convictions secured, attention will now shift to the sentencing proceedings, where the court is expected to determine an appropriate punishment for the crimes that left multiple families devastated and shocked communities across South Africa.