Mogoerane murder case continues in high court
The trial of six people, all accused of being involved in the murder of SAPS Maj-Gen Thekiso Hendrik Mogoerane, resumed at the Johannesburg High Court on November 2.
Mogoerane’s (61) body was found by members in a police vehicle in the early hours of January 18, 2018. The body was in the back seat of a family vehicle, parked several metres from the family residence in Birchleigh, Kempton Park.
Mogoerane shared the house with his wife and the couple’s only son.
Details of the alleged murder revealed details of how the widow of the dead man, their teenage son, a sangoma from Wattville, the female owner of the initial get-away vehicle arranged by the alleged hired killers for the job and gang of hired hitmen from Vosloorus all conspired to poison, strangle and finally murder Mogoerane.
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The female driver of the initial get-away vehicle used by the hired hitmen on their first attempt on the life of Mogoerane, Lindiwe Lukhele, was later gunned down by an unknown assailant while walking down a street in Vosloorus. This after she turned State witness.
A further probe by Kathorus MAIL into Lukhele’s murder revealed the vehicle she owned was in fact a “gift” for her from her long-distance truck-driver husband. The husband, who was traced to Mpumalanga, confirmed Lukhele was his wife.
He said they were no longer living together due to his work commitments and that he had purchased the vehicle for her to start a business, as she was unemployed.
Asked if he was aware his dead wife had allegedly been a subject of a police investigation in the alleged murder trial of a high-ranking police officer, the man said he was too shocked to say anything and refused to comment. He also wanted to remain anonymous.
Mogoerane murder case continues
Allegations against Mogoerane’s wife, Cordelia Velaphi, and their son, Thabiso, are that they were behind the plan to hire hitmen to kill the recently retired crime intelligence officer.
According to Hawks spokesperson Capt Lloyd Ramovha, the matter was reported to the police and an investigation by the Germiston-based team of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation was implemented.
Five months after the murder, in June 2018, some of the accused were arrested. They included traditional healer Eunice Dlamini, Michael Sanele Mphuthi, Thulani Perseverance Nxumalo, Mzweshinga Zondo, Thokozani Zondo, Musa Morris Mayisela and Bongiwe Lukhele.
Both Mayisela and Lukhele have since died, while Thokozani, who escaped after he was released on bail, is being sought by the police.
Police suspect, he is hiding in KwaZulu-Natal. They appealed to the public in Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus, where Thokozani is well known, to come forward with any information that might lead to his arrest.
The trial is expected to continue until November 12 at the Johannesburg High Court.
Trial to uncover truth of retired SAPS major-general’s murder
