Kempton Park murder trial postponed to October 15
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 in the Kempton Park Regional Court was postponed to October 15 for the State to obtain further instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The matter resumed on October 1 via audiovisual remand (AVR).
Galadla faces several 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 October 28, 2022.
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The matter was previously postponed on September 10 for transcripts.
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.
Galadla previously received a 35-year prison sentence in 2009 for murder and rape but was later released after successfully appealing his conviction.
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 Mqantsha, Thembisa, near the railway line.
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When she arrived, she was shown the body of a woman. Paramedics confirmed that the woman was deceased and that she had been strangled, with visible marks on her neck.
Chabalala testified that a photographer was called to document the scene. Photographers took photographs, and investigators collected evidence and placed it in forensic bags.
She said the deceased could not be identified at the scene, although fingerprints were taken.
The court also heard testimony from Matsieng Mokoena’s boyfriend, who asked not to be identified.
He told the court that he last communicated with Mokoena via WhatsApp on July 25, 2020, until about 01:30 the following morning.
He became concerned when her phone later rang unanswered before going to voicemail. He said he learnt of her death on July 27 after receiving a call from a woman, followed by a call from Mokoena’s mother.
He denied any involvement in her 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.
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According to Joshua, the group sold a Polo for R20 000.
He said Galadla counted the money before handing it to Stanly, who appeared ill and struggled to speak.
The matter was postponed to October 15 for a DPP directive.
