Mashudu Bele (37), the man who posed as a taxi driver (e-hailer) in Thohoyandou to lure women away from safety, was found guilty of kidnapping, armed robbery, and murder last week. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Bele's conviction stems from an incident in March 2023. Ms Fhatuwani Asnath Nguluvhe (34) disappeared on her way home from Thavhani Mall, where she worked. At the time, Bele was operating as an illegal taxi driver in and around Thohoyandou, advertising his fake taxi service on social media. Unsuspecting passengers would contact him for a ride, unaware of his true intentions.
For Nguluvhe, the journey ended in tragedy—she never arrived at her destination. Her family reported her missing at the Thohoyandou Police Station shortly after she disappeared. She had been renting a room in Maniini village, just a short distance from Thavhani Mall.
Her brothers, Livhuwani and Robert Munyai from Mapakoni village in Niani, organised a search party and scoured the bushes around Maniini and the surrounding areas, but to no avail.
The police launched an investigation and followed up on leads. On 22 March 2023, they arrested Bele at Tshikweta village, where they found bank cards belonging to the missing woman in his possession. That same night, Nguluvhe's body was discovered along the R524 Punda Maria road near Maniini village.
After Bele's initial court appearance at the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court, more victims came forward, alleging that he had also kidnapped and raped them. Some of these charges were later added to his charge sheet.
His case faced multiple delays, but when he finally stood trial at the Thohoyandou High Court (sitting in Waterval), he was charged with eight offences, including armed robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, rape, possession of stolen property, and murder.
Bele was convicted on three counts: kidnapping, armed robbery with aggravating circumstances, and murder. However, the court found insufficient evidence to convict him on the other charges. He was sentenced to five years for kidnapping, 15 years for armed robbery, and life imprisonment for murder.
The news of his sentencing came as a relief to Nguluvhe's family. Her brother, Livhuwani Munyai, said the conviction provided some solace, but they were still haunted by unanswered questions. "We don't know what made him kill her. He doesn't even look remorseful. The court asked him to share her last words before he killed her, and all he said was that he doesn't remember. It's really painful," he said.