Two local sex workers have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a 29-year-old man in Sandton.
The sentences the High Court of South Africa Gauteng Division Johannesburg handed down to Refilwe Mokgotlo (29) and Julia Rihlampfu (33) includes 15 years for robbery and six months for theft.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, on April 13, 2019, Mokgotlo and Rihlampfu travelled from Pretoria to a pub in Fourways seeking clients.
Mjonondwane said at approximately 03:00, the man secured their service and left with them for his Sandton residence.
“After purchasing food, the man had [relations] with Mokgotlo whilst Rihlampfu was in the other room,” said Mjonondwane adding that an altercation then ensued.
She said investigating officer Warrant Officer Mojapelo brought to light evidence to the court that indicated that Mokgotlo then strangled the man with a charger cable until he died.
She said Mojapelo told the court that the two women then left.
She said Mojapelo told the court that the man’s lifeless body was discovered when his father asked a family friend to go check on his son as he had been unable to reach him on the phone.
She said the friend went to the man’s residence, gained entry, discovered the body on the floor then alerted the police.
“Video footage from the complex further revealed the man entering his residence accompanied by two women, who were later seen exiting the complex with his house keys.”
She said Mojapelo told the court a cellphone cord was found around the man’s neck and bank slips on the bed.
She said the fingerprints lifted from the crime scene matched those of the accused substantiating their involvement in the crime.
Senior State Advocate, Evelyn Moseki presented aggravating circumstances that the accused acted in common purpose, taking advantage of the man’s kindness to invite them to his home and provide them food.
Advocate Moseki emphasised that the man met a brutal end and his lifeless body was callously abandoned.
“The court concurred with the state’s position, noting that the duo demonstrated a shocking lack of remorse by mercilessly abandoning the victim and neglecting to report the incident to the authorities,” said Moseki.
Mjonondwane said the NPA welcomed the sentence as it reflects the severity of the crime and upholds justice for the victim and his family.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
