True Crime South Africa

PODCAST | Value of a life: the murder of Hlompho Mohapi Koloi

26 September 2022 - 14:53 By Nicole Engelbrecht
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Pastor Melisizwe Monqo was revered in his Eastern Cape community.
Pastor Melisizwe Monqo was revered in his Eastern Cape community.
Image: Supplied

Listen to the story here: 

In July 2018, 25-year-old mother of two Hlompho Mohapi Koloi was job hunting. Amid her desperate efforts to support her daughters and help her mother financially, a call came from the pastor of God’s Work Ministries, seemingly the answer to her prayers.

Self-ordained Pastor Melisizwe Monqo told Koloi he had a job interview lined up for her at George Airport. He had arranged everything – transport, her application. All she had to do was be available for pick-up on the day.

Hlompho was collected for that interview, but she never returned. Instead, her body was found hours later on a gravel road near Voëlklip. She had been stabbed and her throat had been partially slit.

The investigation into the young woman’s murder would reveal a complex web of lies, fraud and violence, all hidden just beneath the surface of a community church and its leaders.

In episode 93 of True Crime South Africa, we attempt to navigate the complex crimes of a husband and wife who had their entire community fooled.   

For more episodes, click here.

Community Intervention Centre (24-hour trauma helpline): 082-821-3447

Join the conversation on Twitter at #TrueCrimeSA

E-mail the show: info@killeraudiocreations.com  

Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month. 


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.