Mankweng murder suspect opens assault case against prison officials
Murder accused Malesela Andrew Mehlape appeared in court with an apparent broken arm and claims he was refused help when he tried to report the alleged assault.
POLOKWANE – An assault case has been opened with Mankweng police following allegations that five prison officials assaulted murder accused Malesela Andrew Mehlape, who appeared in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court with what appeared to be a broken arm.
The incident reportedly occurred while Mehlape was in custody.
He claimed he was refused help when he tried to report the assault.
It was only after he pointed out his injury to Magistrate Ashrad Chayya during his court appearance on August 29 that the matter was formally addressed.
Chayya ordered that Mehlape be assisted in opening an assault case and subsequently postponed his murder trial to September 26.
Mehlape faces charges of murdering his 14-year-old stepdaughter, Rebotile Penelope Moloto, whom he is said to have stabbed multiple times before slitting her throat in front of her friends in March, while she was on her way to Klaas Mothapo High School.
Read more: Mankweng man abandons bail in stepdaughter’s murder case
Despite the severity of the charges, Mehlape remains adamant about representing himself, refusing legal representation. The Directorate of Public Prosecutions confirmed it is considering his request, noting that self-representation in such serious matters is highly unusual.
The courtroom was filled with members of the community, some there to show support for the victim’s family, others simply wanting to follow the high-profile case.
Opinions on Mehlape’s behaviour were divided. Some attendees believed his actions were a tactic to delay proceedings, while others noted he appeared genuinely injured.
There has been no official comment from the Department of Correctional Services regarding the assault allegations.
Mehlape remains in custody pending his next court appearance.
