Update
GEORGE NEWS - The three suspects linked to the Mohapi murder, Melisizwe Monqo (30), his fiancée Siphosihle Pamba (23) and co-accused Phumlani Qusheka (29), appeared in the George Magistrate's Court on Wednesday 22 May.
The case was remanded to 31 July to finalise the centralisation of various cases against the three suspects.
Earlier this year the trio appeared in the Ezibeleni Magistrate's Court in Queenstown on charges of attempted murder.
This came after three more potential victims in the Eastern Cape, on whom life insurance policies were also taken out without their knowledge, were identified during the Mohapi murder investigation.
Amongst others they face charges of fraud, kidnapping, murder, attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. They remain in custody.
The state intends on having all the cases centralised and charged in the Circuit High Court in George later this year.
Clayton Sampson represents Monqo and Pamba. Qusheka is represented by Pieter Terblanche and MP Heyns is for the state.
Suspect hides knife in rectum
Qusheka appeared in the George Magistrate's Court on Thursday 23 May after a large folding knife was found hidden inside his body. The knife, wrapped in plastic, was found by staff at George Correctional Centre, after it was detected by a metal detector. It is 17cm long when opened.
Qusheka had to remove the knife via his anus. He did not apply for bail and will appear in court on 3 June.
Phones in cells
The other two suspects in the Mohapi murder have also been found in illegal possession of items in their cells. In March this year a cellphone and a charger were found in the possession of Pamba in her cell at the Oudtshoorn Correctional Centre.
Shortly after the incident Johan Pienaar, communications officer for the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in the Southern Cape, confirmed the incident. At the time he told George Herald that a case of illegal possession of a cellphone was opened with the police.
The phone was handed over to the investigating officer, who sent it away for analysis.
At the end of July last year, a cellphone was also confiscated from the prison cell of Pamba's fiancé and co-accused, Monqo, who is in custody in George.
By the time of going to print no comment or new information about any of the three findings had been received from DCS.
Read previous articles:
- Murder suspect hides knife in rectum
- Mohapi murder case continues in July
- Mohapi murder case to High Court
- Cellphone found in murder suspect's cell
- Plot thickens as Mohapi murder case unfolds
- Hlompho murder trio still in jail
- Hlompho murder case continues next month
- Murder case postponed
- Hlompho murder: Suspects denied bail
- Hlompho murder case: Suspects denied bail
- Hlompho murder: Verdict on bail application
- Stains were Hlompho's blood
- Phones to be analysed in Hlompho murder
- Web of deceit behind murder, court hears
- Hlompho's murder: Insurance scams order of the day
- Shocking evidence heard in court
- Phone found in murder suspect's cell
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