Three men have appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court in connection with the alleged theft and resale of a smartwatch belonging to murdered runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, whose body was found in Rhodesfield on 12 September.
The case centres on how the device allegedly changed hands several times after Moselakgomo disappeared, with the State alleging that it was bought for R900, sold for R4,000 and later resold for the same amount.
Kenneth Chibuzor (a Nigerian national), Stephen Mahlakwane Sekhukhune and Danial Anthony Moat appeared in court on Monday, 12 October, facing charges linked to the smartwatch.
Moselakgomo was last seen alive on 9 September after leaving her home for a run. According to the State’s allegations, the smartwatch was acquired less than 24 hours after she was last seen.
Her body was discovered in Rhodesfield three days after she was last seen.
The latest court proceedings focus on the alleged handling and resale of her belongings as the criminal case continues.
Smartwatch allegedly sold several times
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) alleges that Chibuzor, who operated a second-hand goods shop in Kempton Park, bought the smartwatch for R900 from an unidentified person.
He allegedly failed to obtain and record the identification details of the seller and the transaction information required under the Second-Hand Goods Act 6 of 2009.
The State further alleges that Chibuzor sold the device to Sekhukhune on 10 September.
Sekhukhune allegedly registered the smartwatch to his Gmail account on the same day, after the deceased’s profile information and settings had been erased.
He is then alleged to have sold it to Moat for R4,000.
According to the prosecution, Moat subsequently advertised the smartwatch on social media and sold it to a fourth person for R4,000.
The fourth individual has not been charged because investigators have insufficient evidence linking that person to the alleged offences, the NPA said.
The allegations presented in the case concern the smartwatch and its transfer between the accused. The charges do not, by themselves, establish who killed Moselakgomo or whether any of the three men were involved in her death.
Charges and bail proceedings
Chibuzor faces charges relating to alleged contraventions of the Second-Hand Goods Act, money laundering and theft. The alternative charges include possession of goods reasonably suspected to have been stolen and receiving stolen property without reasonable cause to believe that the seller was entitled to dispose of it.
Sekhukhune and Moat face money laundering and theft charges, with alternative charges relating to possessing or receiving stolen property.
The court postponed the matter to 19 October for Chibuzor’s bail application.
It also ordered that his immigration status be verified. Chibuzor is a Nigerian citizen.
The next court date will allow the proceedings concerning his bail application to continue. The NPA has not indicated in its statement whether the other two accused will seek bail at the same hearing.
Investigation into Moselakgomo’s death
Moselakgomo’s death has drawn attention to the investigation into the killing of the runner, whose body was discovered in Ekurhuleni.
Police announced on 12 October that a suspect had been arrested after allegedly being found in possession of belongings linked to the murdered woman.
The latest developments have brought renewed focus to the investigation and the efforts to trace items belonging to Moselakgomo after she disappeared.
The NPA said it remained committed to holding accountable those who allegedly benefit from criminal activities and ensuring justice for victims and their families.
The three accused remain subject to the court process, and the allegations against them have yet to be proven.
