03/12/2025
Bogus prophet gets three life terms for murder, r**e and robbery
BROOKLYN - The Limpopo Division of the High Court, sitting at Polokwane, has on Monday 1 December 2025, convicted and sentenced a bogus prophet, Mothupi Tjale Tau (36), from Brooklyn Village outside Jane Furse to three life imprisonment and additional 37 years imprisonment for multiple offences including two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, r**e, robbery with aggravating circumstances and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
The court found Tau guilty of the heinous crimes committed against Hellen Teiwa Malepe (38), and her 18-year-old daughter Kgaogelo Michelle Malepe, committed between 29 and 30 December 2023 at Oaks Village.
At the time, Tau had presented himself as a prophet, offering spiritual guidance to the family, but instead, he brutally attacked and killed them.
Mashudu Malabi, Regional Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo, said the evidence presented in court revealed that Tau demanded money from Hellen Malepe, stabbed her multiple times, and left her for dead.
“The accused came to the victim’s house demanding money. He forcefully dragged the deceased from her house to the nearby bushes where he stabbed her multiple times leaving her for dead. He further robbed her of her cellphone and went back to the house where he found the victim’s 18-year-old daughter, strangled her until she was unconscious. He thereafter r**ed her and also inflicted grievous bodily injuries on the second victim. She later succumbed to injuries and was certified dead at the scene,” she said.
Malabi added that after the ordeal, Tau stuffed the victim’s 5-year-old son with a jersey in his mouth, tied him with a masking tape around his mouth and tied his hands behind his back and locked him inside the house, leaving him in full exposure of her deceased sister’s lifeless body.
“After thorough investigation by the police, the accused was arrested and kept in custody until his trial. He pleaded not guilty however, he was ultimately found guilty of the charges after he claimed that he was not responsible for these vile acts,” she said.
During the trial, Senior State Advocate, Lerato Mohlaka, argued that the accused's actions were premeditated and that he had shown no remorse for his crimes. She emphasized that the case was a classic example of gender-based violence, which has been declared a national disaster in South Africa.
"The state further submitted that the court should take note that Gender-Based Violence was declared a national disaster by the President of the Republic of South Africa. Not only is it prevalent and very serious within the jurisdiction of this court, however, the facts of this particular case have sent shock waves to the community of the Oaks Village and the country," Mohlaka said.
Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Ivy Thenga, praised the sterling work of Advocate Mohlaka and Investigating Officer, Sergeant Shawn Mbhalati, for securing the conviction.
The court also ordered that Tau's name be registered in the National Register of Sexual Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm and work with children.
