A 45-year-old school principal has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for the murder of Limpopo Department of Education circuit manager, Dr Malekutu Johannes Mehlape.
Mahlodi Melida Mathole was sentenced by the Polokwane High Court after pleading guilty to the murder of Mehlape, who was shot dead at his home in Mankweng Zone 1, outside Polokwane, on December 28, 2023.
She was sentenced in February 2026 to life imprisonment for murder.
Dr Malekutu Johannes Mehlape was murdered during a house robbery at his house.
Family believed husband had poisoned her sister
The daughter orchestrated the murder following claims made by a traditional healer, Hlologelo Klaas Mogotlane, 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,” said NPA regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi.
Seeking revenge, Mathole also consulted the traditional healer requesting “muthi” to kill her brother-in-law.
However, she later became aware that Mehlape’s daughter and other people were arranging for armed men to kill him.
On the night of the incident, the daughter unlocked the gate and main door, granting the perpetrators access to the house.
Furthermore, Mathole admitted transferring R600 to Mogotlane to cover diesel costs for the vehicle that was to transport the hitmen to Mehlape’s home.
She subsequently 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 target.
“The deceased was ambushed in his bedroom while asleep, shot multiple times, and robbed of several valuables, including his cellphone,” said Malabi.
He suffered fatal gunshot wounds to his head and died at the scene.
The traditional healer was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment.
The murdered Dr Malekutu Johannes Mehlape with his daughter Mologadi Mehlape who has been sentenced for his murder.
Judge criticises ease of killing
During sentencing, Judge Gert Muller said that although he understood the plea and sentence agreement between the State and Mathole, it appeared that taking someone’s life had become increasingly easy.
The court convicted Mathole of murder and sentenced her to 25 years’ imprisonment, with eight years suspended.
This means she will serve an effective 17 years’ direct imprisonment.
Two accused still face trial
Two other accused, Tshepo Gabriel Ranoto, 34, and Michael Sello Molongoane, 42, appeared alongside Mathole.
They face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Their trial has been separated from Mathole’s case.
Ranoto and Molongoane are expected to return to the Polokwane High Court for trial from 2 to 13 November 2026.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
IOL News
Get your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App for Android and IOSnow.
The discovery of eight murdered women across the Ekurhuleni metropolitan area between July and September 2026 has jolted the nation into a grim reckoning.Each body – bound, brutalised, discarded – is not only evidence of a crime but a haunting reminder of the vulnerability women face daily in South Africa.The first victim, a 37-year-old woman, was found on July 15, near the R21 in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park.Naked, bound with cable […]
