ADVERTISEMENT:

 

 
 

Vincent Teboho Moabelo (36).

She feared for her life

Date: 24 October 2014 By: Isabel Venter

Following the apprehension of an ex-boyfriend, questions arose as to whether the double murder of Ms Darlene Mapula Madiba (34) and her friend could have been prevented.

Vincent Teboho Moabelo briefly appeared in the Louis Trichardt District court on Thursday, 16 October. He is accused of killing Madiba and her 36-year-old friend Mr Victor Mthokozisi Radebe, and is facing two counts of murder.

Madiba and Radebe were shot and killed on 13 October, on the very day that an interim court protection order that Madiba had against Moabelo was retracted.

It is alleged that Moabelo kicked down the kitchen door of Madiba’s Duiker Street home in Makhado (Louis Trichardt), while she and Radebe were watching television in the living room. After an argument, he allegedly shot and killed them with his 9mm pistol, fleeing the scene with Radebe’s vehicle. The Makhado Police launched a manhunt, and the day after the shooting incident apprehended Moabelo near Bochum in a local tavern. They confiscated the firearm that was in his possession. Radebe’s vehicle was recovered near Vivo.

Moabelo, who was wearing slacks and a navy T-shirt, sat hunched on the accused’s bench holding his head in his hands. Not once did he look up at the magistrate, and hid his face in his T-shirt when he was escorted back to the court’s holding cells. He was not asked to plea or bring a bail application.

According to what the Zoutpansberger could establish from court records, this was not the first time for Moabelo to appear in court. During August of this year, Madiba had laid a charge of assault with the intent of causing grievous bodily harm against him. Following the charge, Moabelo’s weapon was seized by the Makhado Police.

Friends and neighbours of Madiba also told the newspaper that following the assault case, Madiba was in the process of obtaining a protection order against Moabelo. He had allegedly tied her up, before beating her. On 4 August, as a result of the assault charge, Madiba was granted an interim protection order by the District Court. She had informed the court that Moabelo had threatened her with his licenced firearm and that she feared for her life.

The assault case was also heard in the Louis Trichardt District Court and it was agreed that Moabelo would pay an admission of guilt fine on 16 September. About two weeks before the payment date, however, Moabelo’s firearm was allegedly released back to him.

In addition, Madiba’s protection order was to be made permanent on the morning of her death. Court records revealed that only Moabelo had appeared in court for the hearing, and when Madiba failed to appear, the order was rescinded.  

Family of Madiba and Radebe are now demanding further investigation surrounding the release orders of Moabelo’s firearm. According to law experts that the newspaper approached, Moabelo’s firearm could only have been released to him in terms of a court order after he had paid his fine, or if the police had agreed to do so.  

In the meantime, Moabelo’s case was postponed until 30 October to afford the police time to finalize their investigation. He will remain in custody until then.

 
 
 

Viewed: 4616

 

 
 

Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

 
 

More photos... 

ADVERTISEMENT

 
 

ADVERTISEMENT:

 
 

ADVERTISEMENT