The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the life imprisonment sentences imposed on two sex workers for the murder of a 29-year-old client in Sandton.
The sentences include life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for robbery, and six months for theft handed by the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, on Friday.
On April 13, 2019, Refilwe Mokgotlo, 29, and her co-conspirator, Julia Rihlampfu, 33, travelled from Pretoria to a pub in Fourways, north of Johannesburg, seeking clients.
At 3am, the deceased accepted their services and left with them to his Sandton residence. After purchasing food, the deceased had consensual sex with Mokgotlo while Rihlampfu was in the other room. However, an altercation ensued during the intercourse.
The Investigating Officer on the case, Warrant Officer Mojapelo (no first name) testified on behalf of the State and brought to light evidence which indicated that Mokgotlo strangled the deceased with a charger cable until he died.
Mokgotlo then left his lifeless body, which was discovered when the deceased’s father contacted a family friend after repeated unsuccessful attempts to reach him.
The friend visited the deceased’s residence, gained entry, discovered his lifeless body on the floor, and alerted the police. A video footage from the complex further revealed the deceased entering his residence accompanied by two women, who were later seen exiting the complex with his house keys.
A cellphone cord was found around the deceased's neck, and bank slips were on the bed. 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, stating that the accused acted in common purpose, taking advantage of the deceased’s kindness when he invited them to his home and provided them with food.
Advocate Moseki further emphasised that the deceased 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 failing to report the incident to the authorities.
“The NPA welcomes the sentence as it reflects the severity of the crime and upholds justice for the victim and his family,” said NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.
The Star