Martha Motladile, a woman who paid a hitman R29,000 to murder her two relatives in 2019, has been sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment for each murder.
The National Prosecuting Authority announced on Tuesday that the high court in Bloemfontein also sentenced Molefi Molise to life imprisonment for the murders of Lesang Sarah Motladile and her son Bongani Goodwill Motladile in March 2019, as well as for the murder of Ernest Mokhele in January that same year.
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The tragic events unfolded when Lesang Motladile and Bongani Motladile were shot and killed at their home in Ramakgari location near Thaba Nchu by unknown individuals using automatic rifles.
Subsequently, when Molise was apprehended in Fouriesburg, the police discovered an R1 automatic rifle which further linked him to the murder of Ernest Mokhele in Botshabelo. Molise had demanded the keys to Mokhele’s vehicle before committing the crime.
Investigations conducted by the police revealed that Keletsang Motladile, the son of Ernest Mokhele, was initially suspected of orchestrating his father’s murder. However, he was later acquitted by the court due to lack of evidence.
The investigations also uncovered that Keletsang Motladile had hired Molise to kill her two relatives, as she had life insurance policies worth R347,000 on them. It was further revealed that Molise had been paid R29,000 for the murders.
During the sentencing, state advocate Dansi Mpemvane argued for the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentences for such heinous crimes.
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As a result, the court sentenced Molise to life imprisonment for the three counts of murder, seven years for attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances, 12 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder, and 25 years for possession of an automatic rifle without a licence. These sentences were ordered to run consecutively.
The sentencing of Martha Motladile and Molefi Molise serves as a reminder that justice will prevail in cases of premeditated murder. The severity of the sentences reflects the gravity of the crimes committed and sends a strong message that such acts will not be tolerated in our society.
