FOUR WOMEN CHARGED WITH MURDER OF PRINCE LETHUKUTHULA ZULU ACQUITTED, BUT CONVICTED OF THEFT
The High Court of South Africa Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg acquitted four women Tshegofatso Moremane, Margaret Koaile, Portia Mmola and Gontse Tlhoele, that were accused of killing Prince Lethukuthula Zulu, on charges of murder and possession of drugs. They were however, found guilty on the charge of theft.
On 06 November 2020, Prince Lethukuthula Zulu’s, body was discovered by security guards at his residential complex in Northworld, Johannesburg. His friend, Nkosi Msimang, was found unconscious in his room. Prior to the ordeal, Zulu, and his friend Msimang, went to an entertainment establishment in Randburg. They met the accused and were informed that they were celebrating Moremane’s birthday. The celebrations went on, until they decided to go to Zulu’s place of residence to continue with the celebration.
The accused left the deceased and Msimang unconscious and stole house items before fleeing the scene. Police were called to the scene by a neighbour. Msimang woke up and was disoriented, but Zulu was declared dead on the scene. The police investigated and linked the accused to the crime by DNA found at the scene. The accused were arrested and some of the stolen items were recovered. The police also found tablets on Mmola that were used to drug Msimang. The cause of death was said to be drug-related.
The court found that the state failed to prove the source of the drugs that were found to have been ingested by the deceased, and could not prove that any of the women were found to be in possession of drugs. The state further failed to prove that the deceased involuntarily took the cocaine and were therefore acquitted on the murder and possession of drugs charge.
The NPA will study the judgement and communicate further. The court postponed the case to 06 October 2023, for sentencing.
