POLOKWANE – Two cousins, including a former police officer, have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of LGBTQ+ rights activist Refilwe Gift Malope.
The Limpopo Polokwane High Court convicted Thabo Moses Mokwana (42), a former police officer, and Modirela Maxwell Mokwana (45), both from Motsephiri Village, on charges of murder, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice last week.
The court sentenced both men to life imprisonment for murder, seven years for kidnapping, and three years for defeating the ends of justice. The sentences will run concurrently, with life imprisonment being the effective sentence served.
The horrific crime took place on 9 May 2022, when witnesses testified that the accused forced Malope into a car and drove away with her. After being reported missing, a search operation led to the discovery of her decomposed body in a mine shaft in Benoni, Gauteng province.
Both accused had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The court heard that Malope was a dedicated advocate who “worked tirelessly to ensure that the members of the LGBTQ+ community were treated with dignity, integrity, and fairness.”
In a victim impact statement presented to the court, Malope’s family described the psychological trauma inflicted by her death, particularly because she was killed by people she knew and trusted.
State advocate Patrick Magoda argued during sentencing that the accused had violated Malope’s fundamental right to life and deserved to be permanently removed from society. He emphasised that Mokwana’s position as a former police officer made the crime particularly shocking, as his duty was to combat crime, not commit it.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi highlighted the significance of the conviction in the fight for justice.
“The National Prosecuting Authority daily prosecutes hundreds of such matters that affect the safety and well-being of our communities and ensure justice for victims of crime,” Malabi-Dzhangi said in a statement.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Ivy Thenga, commended the work of advocate Patrick Magoda and investigating officer Florence Hlahla from the Provincial Organised Crime Unit for their diligent prosecution of the case.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about violence against LGBTQ+ persons, where hate crimes based on sexual orientation continue to plague communities despite constitutional protections.
