Refiloe Malope: Sergeant, another suspect in court for hate crime murder

Two suspects, including a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS), appeared in the Nebo Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo on Thursday, in connection with the alleged murder of Refiloe Malope.

REFILOE MALOPE MURDER ACCUSED’S LAWYER A NO-SHOW

Refiloe Malope’s, 31, body was retrieved from a mine shaft in Benoni on Monday afternoon, 27 July. She was allegedly murdered by Sergeant Thabo Leudi Mokoana, 40, and Modirelwa Mokoana, 42, in Kgaphamade Village on 9 May 2022.

“It is alleged that the deceased Refiloe Malope, a member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) community, was seen chased by the accused’s motor vehicle, and she was screaming for help, apprehended and shoved into the boot of the car.

“The deceased was later found in a discontinued ventilation mine shaft in Benoni, Gauteng,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi

On Thursday, the accused were expected to make a formal bail application. However, their defence lawyer was not present in court.

The duo face charges of kidnapping, murder and defeating the ends of justice. They were remanded in custody until 28 July when they are expected to make a bail application.

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