Shocking evidence heard in court

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Accused number one in the murder case of Hlompho Mohapi (25) faced tough questions on Thursday 2 August in the George Magistrate's Court during his bail application.

Melisizwe Monqo, a pastor from King Williams Town, appeared in court with his fellow accused, his fiancée Siphesihle Pamba, and his cousin Phumlani Qusheka, for their bail application.

Monqo exercised his right to remain silent and did not answer the questions of state prosecutor MP Heyns during cross-examination. The court heard that blood stains were found inside Monqo's rented vehicle and samples had been sent away for analysis. Police also found blood on Qusheka's clothes at the time of his arrest.

The court heard the motive for the murder on Mohapi could have been to claim life insurance, as there are three known life polices taken out in the name of the deceased, allegedly by the accused, of which one was going to pay out R3-million in the event of her death. It was said that a Mr Zonke was named as her life partner and the beneficiary in the event of her death. This Mr Zonke is apparently related to Monqo and it is alleged that Mohapi never knew of his existence.

The court heard that Monqo had previously attempted to murder a woman by the name of Nomfundiso Booi, who lives in the Eastern Cape.

Heyns told the court that Booi informed the investigation officer that Monqo had made numerous attempts on her life and she had a protection order against Monqo. Booi told the investigation officer that a life policy worth R5,5-million had been taken out on her name, the beneficiary being Pamba's mother, whom Booi has never met.

The court further heard that a number of other life policies have been taken out on people's names by Monqo with the help of his fiancée, some of which are still being traced.

The court heard that the premiums of some of these insurances are showing in a Capitec bank account in the name of Monqo.

"If he [Monqo] gets out of jail he will try to go and kill someone else to pay for his expenses. He may even go out and start a new church in Nigeria. He is a manipulative person.

"The people of George are angry - they don't want this man back in society," said Heyns as he finished his cross-examination.

The other accused presented affidavits and were not cross-examined. The bail application was postponed until 7 August.

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