KLERKSDORP – Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams, North West Provincial Commissioner, commended detectives after they secured two major court successes, including a life sentence for a man who shot and kidnapped a woman in a gender-based violence case, and an effective 30-year sentence in a separate contract-style murder.

GBV sentence

In the first case, Stephen Moagi Pule (56) was sentenced on Thursday 15 October after being convicted in July of attempted murder and kidnapping. The court heard that on Sunday 2 July 2023, Pule shot Confidence Madiehi Kgalapa (36) during an argument, then forced her into his vehicle and drove to the Jouberton area. The victim managed to persuade him to take her to hospital, where she was admitted, and the incident was reported to police.

Pule evaded arrest for four weeks before being apprehended on Monday 31 July 2023. The matter underwent several postponements and bail applications before reaching its conclusion.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment for attempted murder and six years for kidnapping, with the court ordering the six-year sentence to run concurrently with the life sentence.
Prosecutor Mapule Ntloane and investigating officer Warrant Officer Sam Smit led the case.

Murder conviction

In a separate, unrelated case, Mbatha Nkuleleleko (26) was convicted on Monday 31 August of murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition. The case relates to the murder of Timotheo Mosadi (50), who was shot dead in the street near his home in Klerksdorp on Wednesday 22 May 2024.

It is alleged Nkuleleleko was hired by an unknown person or persons to travel to Klerksdorp and kill the deceased. He reportedly arrived in the area on the evening of Tuesday 21 May 2024 and carried out the shooting the following day before fleeing.

Following the circulation of an alert, police intercepted the identified vehicle travelling between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom and arrested the accused. A firearm with ammunition was seized during the operation.

Bail was successfully opposed, and Nkuleleleko was ultimately convicted. He received 15 years for murder, 15 years for possession of an unlicensed firearm and three years for possession of ammunition, with the three-year sentence running concurrently with the murder sentence, resulting in an effective 30 years’ imprisonment.
Investigating officer Warrant Officer Pieter Scheepers and prosecutor Chris Kok led the case.

Police praised

Adams applauded the Klerksdorp detectives for their commitment, thorough investigations and persistence in ensuring the cases were successfully concluded. He acknowledged the importance of effective collaboration between investigators, prosecutors and other role players in the criminal justice system in securing convictions and appropriate sentences, and said police remain committed to fighting gender-based violence, murder and other serious crimes, and will continue to investigate cases diligently to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

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