A dramatic turn of events arose at the Thohoyandou High Court when kidnapping, rape, and murder suspect Mashudu Bele, who had previously confessed to all charges, suddenly pleaded not guilty.
His legal counsel, Advocate Ntsako Hlungwane, informed the court that, after extensive discussions with his client, they had decided to change their plea to not guilty. Presiding officer Judge Molepo expressed surprise at the change in plea as she had already postponed the case for trial, unaware of this development. She subsequently rescheduled the trial to commence on 14 October.
Bele's arrest followed the disappearance of Fhatuwani Asnath Nguluvhe in early March the previous year. He was apprehended on 22 March 2023 in Tshikweta village, where he was found in possession of Nguluvhe's bank cards. Following police interrogation, Bele directed authorities to the location where he had disposed of her remains, near Maniini village along the R524 Punda Maria road. Unfortunately, by the time her body was discovered, it was in an advanced state of decomposition.