The sister-in-law of Limpopo circuit murder victim, Dr Malekutu Johannes Mehlape, has been sentenced to an effective 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to a role in his brutal murder.

Mahlodi Mathole, 45, was sentenced by the Polokwane High Court on Monday after pleading guilty to the murder of Mehlape, a former circuit manager at the Limpopo Department of Education, in December 2023.

The teacher admitted to contributing R600 towards fuel used to transport hitmen who accosted and killed the circuit manager at his home in Mankweng Township, outside Polokwane.

Mehlape was shot dead at his home in Mankweng Zone 1 on 28 December 2023.

Mathole’s conviction is the latest development in a case that grew out of a bitter family dispute following the death of her sister, who was married to Mehlape.

In a plea and sentence agreement entered into terms of Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, Mathole admitted that she acted in furtherance of a common purpose and that the murder was premeditated.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mathole told the court that members of the family had come to believe that Mehlape was responsible for her sister’s death through the use of “muthi”.

Seeking revenge, Mathole approached traditional healer Hlologelo Klaas Mogotlane and asked for “muthi” to kill Mehlape.

In February this year. Mogotlane was convicted and sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for murder and 13 years for robbery.

Mathole subsequently became aware that Mehlape’s daughter, Mologadi Mehlape, and others had allegedly decided to pursue a different route by hiring armed men to kill him.

She then transferred R600 to Mogotlane to cover diesel costs for the vehicle that would transport the alleged hitmen to Mehlape’s home.

Before the attack, Mathole also contacted Mogotlane and warned him not to target the wrong person because there were two men at the homestead. She identified Mehlape as the intended victim.

The attackers later arrived at the property, entered the house and shot Mehlape several times. He sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the head and died at the scene. Mathole admitted that her actions had contributed directly to the killing.

The court doomed her to 25 years’ imprisonment, with eight years suspended, leaving her with an effective 17-year direct prison term.

During sentencing, Judge Gert Muller expressed concern about the apparent ease with which people were resorting to murder.

“It appeared as though taking a person’s life had become as easy as going to the shops and choosing who should be killed,” Muller said.

Mehlape’s daughter already serving life sentence

Mathole’s sentencing follows the conviction and life sentence handed down to Mehlape’s daughter, Mologadi, in the same court in June 2025.

Mologadi, then 28, pleaded guilty to murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. She was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for robbery, with the sentences running concurrently.

Mashudu Malabi, the NPA Regional Spokesperson for Limpopo, previously said the court heard that Mologadi had orchestrated the killing after Mogotlane allegedly told her that Mehlape had caused her mother’s death through “muthi”.

Malabi said after attempts to retaliate through traditional means failed, Mologadi turned to a contract killing and enlisted family members to help arrange the murder for an agreed payment of R200,000.

“On the night of the murder, Mologadi allegedly unlocked the gate and main door of the house, allowing the perpetrators to enter.

“Mehlape was then ambushed in his bedroom while asleep and shot multiple times. His cellphone and other valuables were also stolen,” Malabi said.

“A Ford Ranger double cab allegedly used during the crime was later seized during arrests in Mankweng, while a firearm allegedly linked to the murder was recovered during an arrest in Zebediela.

“During mitigation proceedings, Mologadi apologised to her family and told the court that she was the primary caregiver of her one-year-nine-month-old daughter. She also referred to unresolved disputes between herself and her father,” she added.

State Advocate Muneiwa Ratshibvumo, however, argued that Mologadi’s guilty plea was prompted by the strength of the evidence against her rather than genuine remorse.

She described the murder as “gruesome and heartless” and urged the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence.

Two accused still face trial

Mathole’s conviction has not brought the entire case to an end.

Tshepo Gabriel Ranoto, 34, and Michael Sello Molongoane, 42, remain before the Polokwane High Court in connection with Mehlape’s killing.

They face charges including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Their case was separated from the proceedings involving Mologadi and Mathole, and was postponed to November 2-13, 2026.

The NPA welcomed Mathole’s conviction and sentence, as well as Mologadi’s earlier life sentence, saying the outcomes demonstrated the justice system’s resolve to hold those responsible for serious and violent crimes accountable.