Businesswoman cleared from “ritual’ murder

A businesswoman who was accused of killing her employee for ritual purposes was recently cleared by the High Court in Thohoyandou.

Ms Sarah Letlalo of Matangari village was forced to flee from her home in July 2013 after she was accused of killing her employee, Tshinakaho Rambelani Khorommbi. The community destroyed Letlalo's house and boycotted her business, a cafe and lounge, while accusing her of killing Khorommbi (52). Khorommbi was found dead in one of the rooms she was staying in at Letlalo's home.

During that time, the community barricaded the main roads in the area while demanding the arrest of Letlalo, despite the police's insistence that she was innocent. The situation calmed down after several meetings between the police and community structures.

Sello Mbedzi (21) was later arrested in Gauteng and was linked to the rape and murder of the deceased. According to the indictment, the accused went to Letlalo's home to steal. While there, he was surprised by the deceased, who was a helper in the homestead.

"He forcefully had sexual intercourse with her before he stabbed her several times with a knife and screwdriver. After killing the deceased, he went into the house and stole money and a cell phone belonging to the owner of the homestead. The victim was later found dead, and the cause of death was sharp-force trauma to the chest," says the indictment.

Mbedzi allegedly later broke into a shop and stole airtime vouchers, cartons of cigarettes, tobacco and watches to the total value of R18 810.

Judge E Makgoba sentenced Mbedzi to 20 years' imprisonment for murder, three years for housebreaking and another five years for breaking into a business.

The prosecutor, Adv Ratshilumela Makhera, said that he was happy with the sentences. Mutale police spokesperson W/O Tshilidzi Nyambeni says he was happy that an arrest had been made in the case that led to the successful prosecution and sentencing. He appealed to the community, however,  to be patient with the police, so that they could do their work without interference from anyone.

Ms Letlalo says she was happy that she had been cleared of the malicious allegations that had been levelled against her.

News - Date: 17 April 2015

Ndivhuwo Musetha

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