Dr Nandipha Magudumana and her co-accused will no longer be prosecuted for the murder of Katlego Mpholo, whose body was used as a decoy to aid Thabo Bester in his daring escape.
Katlego Mpholo murder: NPA clarifies why Dr Nandipha won’t be prosecuted
On Thursday, state prosecutors released a statement confirming rumours that had already been circulating about their decision to drop murder from Dr Nandipha’s charge sheet.
The NPA explained the decision was reached after investigators presented unsatisfactory findings on the persons identified as suspects in Mpholo’s death.
“At this early stage, prosecutors can only bring charges based on the evidence presented by investigators,” the public prosecutors’ office noted.
According to reports, Mpholo was specifically targeted as a decoy because he, to an extent, shared attributes with Bester. They were the same in height, weight class and stature, and it’s believed a concerted effort involving Dr Nandipha and others was made to plan and execute Mpholo’s murder.
The NPA revealed that already, a post-mortem examination performed on Mpholo’s charred remains determined he died an unnatural death.
“The cause of the unnatural death is still being investigated. At this stage, there is insufficient evidence for the NPA to pursue a charge of murder hence the NPA has taken a decision not to prefer a charge of murder pending further investigation,” the statement read.
In the event that more evidence surfaces, state prosecutors stressed, decisive action will be taken against identified suspects. At this juncture, however, there isn’t any confidence that Mpholo’s death can be tied to Dr Nandipha.
The NPA’s announcement came on the heels of Mpholo’s memorial service, which took place in Bloemfontein on Thursday, where several family members reiterated their belief that Dr Nandipha had everything to do with Katlego’s death.
The disgraced doctor and her co-accused are due back in court on Thursday, 11 May 2023 for what’s expected to be a lengthy bail hearing.
Her estranged lover, Thabo Bester, and her father, Zolile Sekeleni, will return to court on Tuesday, 16 May 2023.