Father of Tshegofatso Pule's unborn child is arrested

19 February 2021 - 12:39 By iavan pijoos
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Balloons with an image of Tshegofatso Pule were released into the sky during a funeral service for her in Meadowlands, Soweto.
Balloons with an image of Tshegofatso Pule were released into the sky during a funeral service for her in Meadowlands, Soweto.
Image: Sebabatso Mosamo/Sunday Times

The alleged mastermind of Tshegofatso Pule's murder was arrested on Friday morning, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed.

A warrant for his arrest was issued on Thursday, NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said.

This after the man on trial for her murder, Muzikayise Malephane, entered into a plea agreement with the state.

He pleaded guilty on Friday.

In an affidavit read out in the South Gauteng High Court, Malephane put the father of her unborn child at the centre of the gruesome crime.

Malephane said he was approached by the married man on several occasions to kill Pule, as the man did not want his wife to learn of his lover's pregnancy.

He said he agreed after being offered R70,000.

Malephane also pleaded guilty to obstructing justice and unlawful possession of a firearm and of ammunition.

The court sentenced Malephane to 20 years' imprisonment for murder and five years for the three other charges he faced. The terms will run concurrently.

Pule, who was eight months pregnant, was found dead in Roodepoort in June last year. 

TimesLIVE

Muzikayise Malephane was convicted of killing Tshegofatso Pule in the high court in Johannesburg on February 19 2021. He pleaded guilty to charges including murder, obstruction of justice and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. 28-year-old Pule was pregnant at the time of her death in June 2020.


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