Police in Vanderbijlpark recently arrested four individuals linked to the murder of 33-year-old Palesa Mofokeng, who was found deceased from multiple gunshot wounds in her vehicle.
Palesa Mofokeng murder: ex-husband charged as mastermind
On the morning of Friday, 5 April 2024, the Vanderbijlpark Police Department was alerted to a shooting at Hendrik van Eck Boulevard.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Palesa Mofokeng in the driver’s seat of her Nissan NP200, fatally wounded.
According to Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, a preliminary investigation identified a Honda FRV from which the shots were believed to have been fired at a traffic light.
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A task force including the Sedibeng District Trio Task Team, Tactical Response Team, K9 unit, Tracking team, and Provincial Crime Intelligence was formed immediately.
Their swift action, guided by detailed intelligence, led them to multiple locations including Kliprivier, Sebokeng, Sharpeville, and Vereeniging.
Here, the four suspects were detained, the firearm used in the murder was recovered, and the vehicle involved was seized.
While the motive has yet to be unravelled, authorities believe Mofokeng’s ex-husband, who was part of the suspects arrested, was the mastermind behind the murder.
“I am pleased with the manner in which the team handled this investigation and the swift response in arresting the suspects. Gender-based violence remains one of the top priorities of the police in Gauteng. The suspects will be brought to book for the gruesome murder of a woman,” Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni said.
When will the suspects appear in court?
The apprehended suspects are slated to make their initial court appearance at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates Court on Monday, April 8, 2024.
They face charges of murder as the judicial process begins to take its course.
During this session, the court will likely address matters such as the confirmation of legal representation for the suspects and the setting of a date for a bail hearing.
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