Traditional healers have lambasted a sangoma at the centre of the brutal murder of a Limpopo circuit manager after telling his daughter during consultation that the man had used muthi to cause the death of his wife.
Mmbulaheni Mbilivhili Neluvhola, the leader of Traditional Healers in Limpopo, said Hlologelo Klaas Mogotlane’s (34) behaviour was not a reflection of sangomas and sought to tarnish their image.
This came after Mogotlane and three others were charged with the murder of Dr Malekutu Johannes Mehlape, a Circuit Manager at the Limpopo Department of Education, who was killed at his home in Mankweng Zone 1, outside Polokwane, on 28 December 2023.
His daughter, Mologadi Magdeline Mehlape (28), was sentenced to 15 years in jail on June 12 this year after pleading guilty to charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Neluvhola told African Times that Mogotlane flouted procedure while consulting with Mologadi, adding that his conduct had brought traditional healers into disrepute.
He said the sangoma fed Mologadi with hatred towards Mehlape, resulting in her hiring contract killers to kill her father.
“This traditional healer wants to tarnish the image of traditional healers in the province. People are no longer going to trust traditional leaders because of sangomas like him. In our African culture, when someone goes to consult a traditional leader, they must go with one or two other family members as witnesses, because when they go alone, they might come back home frustrated and cause havoc,” Neluvhola said.
Anti-crime lobby group, the South African Youth Against Crime, agreed with Neluvhola’s sentiment. Chairperson Phathutshedzo Ramabulana Mukhaninga stated that the Mehlape family has been destroyed due to Sangomas like Mogotlane.
“The Mehlape family is torn apart because of the sangoma who instilled hatred among them. I don’t hate traditional healers, but they sometimes influence violence in the communities by telling lies for money,” said Mukhaninga.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority’s Limpopo Regional Spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, Mologadi was convicted in terms of section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 on charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
“The court sentenced her to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery, with the sentences to run concurrently,” Dzhangi said.
“Four others accused, Tshepo Gabriel Ranoto (34), Hlologelo Klaas Mogotlane (34), Mahlodi Melida Mathole (34) and Michael Sello Molongoane (42) appeared alongside Mehlape. They face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The trial for these accused has been separated and postponed to 20 June 2025 in the Polokwane High Court.
It also emerged in court that Mologadi was the brain behind her father’s gruesome murder, designed to look like armed robbery.
“The court heard that Mehlape, who is the daughter of the deceased, orchestrated the murder following claims made by a traditional healer, Mogotlane (Accused 3), who alleged that her father was responsible for her mother’s death through the use of “muthi”. When attempts to retaliate using traditional means failed, Mehlape enlisted the help of various family members to hire a contract killer, agreeing to pay R200,000 for the murder.
On the night of the incident, Mehlape unlocked the gate and main door, granting the perpetrators access to the house. The deceased was ambushed in his bedroom while asleep, shot multiple times, and robbed of several valuables, including his cellphone. A Ford Ranger double cab believed to have been used during the crime was seized during the arrests in Mankweng, and a firearm allegedly used in the killing was recovered during an arrest in Zebediela,” Dzhangi added.
She said Mologadi pleaded for leniency after conceding to committing the crime.
“In mitigation, Mehlape apologized to her family, noting that she is the primary caregiver of her one-year-nine-month-old daughter and had unresolved disputes with her father. However, State Advocate Muneiwa Ratshibvumo argued that the guilty plea was motivated by overwhelming evidence rather than genuine remorse. She described the murder as “gruesome and heartless,” urging the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence,” Dzhangi said.
“As the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) we welcome the conviction and life sentence, viewing it as a clear affirmation of the justice system’s resolve to hold perpetrators of serious and violent crimes accountable. This outcome underscores the NPA’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and securing justice for victims and their families.”
