Galadla trial resumes in Kempton Park Regional Court
According to court records, Galadla allegedly lured women to open fields, where they were murdered and their bodies set alight.
The trial of Mandlankosi Galadla resumed in the Kempton Park Regional Court on March 12.
Galadla faces multiple charges, including murder, kidnapping, rape and aggravated robbery, linked to an alleged two-year crime spree in Kempton Park between 2020 and his arrest on 28 October 2022.
According to court records, Galadla allegedly lured women to open fields, where he murdered them and set their bodies alight.
The known victims were aged between 19 and 40.
In 2009, Galadla was sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment for murder and rape but was later released after successfully appealing his conviction.
ALSO READ: Kempton Park murder and rape trial of Mandlankosi Galadla resumes in regional court
During earlier proceedings on January 22, prosecutor Sibongile Nxumalo called Sergeant Thandazile Chabalala to testify. Chabalala told the court that she reported for duty at 05:45 on July 25, 2020, when she was informed that Vispol members were attending a crime scene in Thembisa’s Mqantsha area near the railway line.
On arriving at the scene, she was shown the lifeless body of a woman. Paramedics confirmed the woman was deceased and that she had been strangled, with visible marks on her neck.
Chabalala testified that a photographer was called to the scene to document the evidence. Photographs were taken, and evidence was collected and placed into forensic bags.
She added that the deceased could not be identified at the scene, although fingerprints were taken.
The court also heard testimony from the boyfriend of Matsieng Mokoena, who asked not to be identified.
He told the court that he last communicated with his girlfriend via WhatsApp on July25, 2020, until about 01:30 the following morning. He became concerned when her phone later rang unanswered before going to voicemail. He said he learned of her death on July 27 after receiving a call from a woman, followed by a call from the deceased’s mother.
He denied any involvement in Mokoena’s death.
The court also heard from a workshop owner, identified as Joshua, who testified that Galadla had visited his workshop on July 24, 2020, with a man identified as Stanly and his daughter.
According to Joshua, the group sold a Polo for R20 000. Joshua said Galadla counted the money before handing it to Stanly, adding that Stanly appeared ill and struggled to speak.
The matter was postponed to March 18 for further hearing.
