Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The Limpopo High Court sitting in Polokwane has convicted and sentenced self-styled prophet Mothupi Tjale Tau (36) from Brooklyn in Sekhukhune District to three life terms and an additional 37 years in prison for a string of violent crimes.
Tau was found guilty on two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He committed the offences between 29 and 30 December 2023 at Oaks Village, where he had presented himself as a prophet offering spiritual services. During that period, he killed two people and raped one of his victims.
National Prosecuting Authority Limpopo divisional spokesperson, Ms Mashudu Malabi, said the court also ordered that Tau’s name be entered into the National Register of Sexual Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm under Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000. He is also barred from working with children.
“The accused pleaded not guilty, but the State led evidence from multiple witnesses who testified that the deceased, Hellen Teiwa Malepe, knew the accused as a prophet who claimed to offer spiritual guidance to her family,” said Ms Malabi.
“On 29 December 2023, the accused went to Hellen Malepe’s home demanding money. He forcefully dragged her into nearby bushes where he stabbed her multiple times, leaving her for dead. He robbed her of her cellphone before fleeing.”
Ms Malabi said Tau then returned to the home and found Hellen’s daughter, Kgaogelo Michelle Malepe. He strangled her until she lost consciousness and raped her inside the house. He inflicted severe injuries on her and she was later certified dead at the scene.
Afterwards, Tau stuffed a jersey into the mouth of the deceased woman’s five-year-old son, sealed his mouth with masking tape and tied his hands behind his back. He locked the child inside the house, leaving him alone with his sister’s body.
Following a police investigation, Tau was arrested and remained in custody during trial.
“The accused maintained that he was not responsible for these vile acts, but was ultimately found guilty,” said Ms Malabi.
In aggravation of sentence, senior State advocate Lerato Mohlaka submitted that Tau had committed three of the most serious crimes — murder, rape, and the assault of a minor — and noted that he murdered a mother and daughter, exposing the young boy to extreme trauma and violence. She reminded the court that gender-based violence had been declared a national disaster by the President of South Africa.
Ms Malabi said the crimes shocked the Oaks Village community and highlighted the seriousness of gender-based violence within the court’s jurisdiction.
Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Ivy Thenga, welcomed the sentence, noting that crimes of sexual violence violate the victims’ constitutional rights to dignity and privacy.
