Update
GEORGE NEWS - The latest session of the Hlompho Mohapi murder trial in the George Circuit High Court came to an end on Thursday 27 May after the cross-examination of accused number three in the case, Phumlani Quesheka (31), was completed.
The case will continue in August when the Circuit High Court is sitting in George again.
During their individual testimonies delivered in May, the three accused, pastor Melisiswe Monqo (33), his wife and co-accused, Siphoshile Pamba (26), as well as Quesheka denied that any of them were involved in the physical act of murdering the 25-year old Thembalethu mother, Hlompho Mohapi (Koloi), on 5 July 2018.
In short
In his testimony, Monqo said that the reason his and Pamba's phones were picked up by the Moeras River cellphone tower that covers part of Herold's Bay area, on the day of Mohapi's death, was because he left his phone charging in the Silver Suzuki that took Mohapi to Herold's Bay earlier that day for an alleged job interview.
Later that day Pamba allegedly asked him to take her to the chemist as their child was not well. According to Monqo they drove in the direction of Herold's Bay as he wanted to see what George Airport looked like, after which they drove to the CBD to find a chemist.
The court heard that he knew about the plan to kill Mohapi, but he was not physically involved and that Mohapi's murder, along with the three earlier attempted murders in the Eastern Cape in which Monqo is also a suspect, as well as the fraudulent life and funeral policies that were taken out on the names of the various victims, were all masterminded by Nomfundiso Booi, a member of his church whom he had an affair with in the Eastern Cape. He claimed that Booi forced him to frame his wife by forcing her to take out the policies.
During Pamba's testimony the court heard how she feared for her life when she was threatened and physically abused by her husband, who forced her to take out no less than 12 fraudulent policies. She also denied knowing anything about murdering Mohapi or being physically involved in the murder.
She told the court that Monqo did not only threaten her life, but also the lives of her young child and her mother if she did not obey his commands to take out the fraudulent policies.
She allegedly endured his abuse for five months before finally submitting to his demands and taking out the first policy on Booi's life.
She admitted to knowing that what they were doing was illegal, but said she did it as a last resort due to the constant abuse and threats on her and her family's lives. She also said that when she heard of Mohapi's death she immediately felt guilty due to her involvement with the policies that were taken out on Mohapi's life.
Quesheka vehemently denied knowing the murdered Mohapi, that he was ever involved in any attempt on Booi's life in the Eastern Cape or that he was ever aware of any policies taken out on any of the victims' lives.
He also denied being in the silver Suzuki that picked up Mohapi for a job interview at George Airport shortly before she was kidnapped and murdered and said that, besides leaving Pamba's mother's house to go to the shop and buy cigarettes, he never left the house while he was in Thembalethu.
He also said the phone he had in his possession at the time of his arrest in Knysna, was given to him by Pamba and that he was not aware that the phone belonged to the deceased.
Previous articles:
- Hlompho Mohapi murder: Accused No 3 'Had no idea"
- Hlompho Mohapi murder trial continues
- Mohapi murder trial: Wife feared for her life
- Accused number 1 takes the stand
- Mohapi murder trial: Detective testifies
- Damning evidence heard as Mohapi murder trial nears end
- Damning evidence heard in Mohapi murder trial
- Witnesses testify in Mohapi murder trial
- Hlompho Mohapi murder accused back in court
