Pre-trial continues

Only two of the three accused in the Hlompho Mohapi murder case appeared in the Circuit High Court in Thembalethu on Wednesday morning, 22 January.

Siphosihle Pamba (24), who is detained in the female prison at Oudtshoorn Correctional Services, and Phumlani Qusheka, who is detained at George Correctional Services, made it to court on time. The other accused, Melisizwe Monqo (31), Pamba's fiancé, was still mid-transfer between Oudtshoorn Correctional Services and George when the three were due to appear in front of Judge Nathan Erasmus.

This after the court ordered during their previous appearance at the end of 2019 that Monqo be transferred back to George Correctional Services to avoid logistical issues or preferential treatment. Monqo had been transferred to Oudtshoorn on his own request earlier last year. He was however not transferred back to George as per the court order.

The case was postponed in his absence.

Not trial ready

The pre-trial is set to continue in March, when a trial date for May will be announced. Due to Qusheka's legal aid representative, Advocate Louise Luterek, only being appointed on Wednesday and not having time to consult with her client, Erasmus deemed the case not trial ready and postponed it until 16 March.

The history

The trio were arrested after the brutal murder of Mohapi in July 2018 when she was allegedly lured to her death under false pretences of a job interview at George Airport. Life and funeral policies worth R3million were taken out on her name shortly before she was murdered.

Her body was found next to the gravel road leading to Voëlklip in Herold's Bay. The three are charged with premeditated murder, fraud and aggravated robbery.

They also face charges of attempted murder after they allegedly attempted to kill three other women using a similar modus operandi in the Eastern Cape.

An indictment regarding all the cases was served to the accused in the George Magistrate's Court on 25 September. All the cases have been centralised and will be tried in George.

Adv Evadné Kortje is for the state.