Three in custody for kidnapping and murder of Seshego man
A missing person report was filed for Steven Mathebula but the charge was changed to murder after he was abducted and buried in a shallow grave.
POLOKWANE – The police investigation into the kidnapping and murder of Steven Mathebula (55), who was killed in 2022, is ongoing.
One of the three accused, Oupa Baker Leboho (48), appeared in the Seshego Magistrate’s Court last Thursday, facing charges of kidnapping, murder and defeating the ends of justice.
He was remanded in custody pending his bail application.
Leboho was arrested earlier this month in Moletji, Mabokelele after being linked to Mathebula’s death, who was abducted and buried in a shallow grave, a missing person report was initially filed, but after extensive investigation, the case was changed to a murder inquiry, with the suspects charged accordingly, according to police spokesperson Brig Hlulani Mashaba.
Two other suspects, Victor Mashakeng (49) and former police officer Herbert Modiba (46) are already in custody. They face charges related to several serious crimes, including kidnapping, murder, and defeating the ends of justice, committed between 2019 and 2023.
Mashakeng and Modiba abandoned their bail applications after appearing in the same court last month. They have been remanded in custody until December 10 for further investigation.
It is thought that in 2022, they kidnapped, murdered, and burned Moses Mahlahlane, a 34-year-old taxi driver employed by Mashakeng.
The deceased’s body was dumped near Ga-Seema in Matlala, where it was set on fire. Mashakeng also faces charges for the 2021 murder of Joseph Raphahlelo (40), who was shot and killed in the Seshego industrial area.
There is still an outstanding suspect, Percy Lebogo, who remains at large after a warrant of arrest was issued.
Mashakeng currently faces six murder charges dating back to 2017, while Modiba is facing three counts of murder.
Provincial police commissioner Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe expressed confidence that the available evidence would ensure a positive prosecution of the accused, should they be found guilty.
