In a quiet corner of Limpopo, a case of chilling brutality unfolded—a daughter orchestrated the murder of her own father, driven by the belief that he was responsible for her mother’s death. The story is as tragic as it is shocking, but beyond the horror, it offers a revealing lens into how differently justice can be applied, depending on the case—and perhaps, the people involved.
The Deadly Whisper of a Sangoma
It began with a whisper from a sangoma, a traditional healer revered in many South African communities. The healer told Muladi Moab, a 28-year-old woman from Limpopo, that her father, Dr. Johannes Masabe, was to blame for her mother’s death, having allegedly bewitched her. Consumed by grief and anger, and convinced of her father’s guilt, Muladi set a deadly plan in motion.
Dr. Masabe, a respected official in the Limpopo Department of Education, had no inkling of the plot that was brewing within his own home. On the night of December 28, 2023, Muladi unlocked the gate and main door, granting contract killers access to the house. As her father slept, he was ambushed, shot multiple times, and robbed. The hit was meticulously planned, with Muladi enlisting family members and agreeing to pay R200,000 for the murder.
Swift Justice: Investigation, Arrest, and Conviction
What followed was a textbook example of effective policing and prosecution. Authorities moved quickly. Within months, Muladi Moab and several co-conspirators—Solo Moan (33), Roato (34), and others—were arrested. The evidence was overwhelming: the murder weapon was recovered, a getaway vehicle was seized, and confessions were obtained.
The trial was equally efficient. Muladi pled guilty to murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. In accordance with Section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1977, she was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and an additional 15 years for robbery, with the sentences to run concurrently. Her co-accused will face trial separately next year.
Prosecutors argued persuasively that Muladi’s guilty plea was not an act of remorse, but rather a response to the mountain of evidence against her. The court agreed, imposing the prescribed minimum sentence. Justice, it seemed, had been delivered—swiftly and decisively.
A Stark Contrast: The Senzo Meyiwa Case
But as the dust settled in Limpopo, many South Africans could not help but draw comparisons to another high-profile murder case: the killing of soccer star Senzo Meyiwa. The differences are glaring—and troubling.
In the Meyiwa case, the state has struggled for years to bring clarity and closure. Theories abound: was it a robbery gone wrong, or was it a contract killing? Was Kelly Khumalo, a prominent singer and Meyiwa’s girlfriend, the mastermind, as some allege? If so, why has she not been arrested or charged? Why are the accused in the dock while other potential suspects remain untouched?
The handling of the Meyiwa case has left many questioning the motives and competence of the state. Unlike the Limpopo patricide, where the mastermind was swiftly identified, arrested, and convicted, the Meyiwa case has been marked by delays, confusion, and what some describe as “shenanigans.” Even the Director of Public Prosecutions has stated that decisions on whether to prosecute others present in the house that night would only be made after the current trial concludes—a move that has fueled suspicions of favoritism or worse.
Justice for Whom?
The contrast could not be more stark. In Limpopo, the system worked: investigators followed the evidence, prosecutors acted decisively, and the court delivered a sentence that matched the gravity of the crime. The mastermind is behind bars, and her accomplices will soon face justice.
In the Meyiwa case, however, the process seems to have stalled. Key suspects remain free. The narrative is muddled. The public is left to wonder whether justice is being served—or subverted.
This disparity raises uncomfortable questions about the consistency and integrity of South Africa’s justice system. Are all suspects treated equally before the law? Or do fame, influence, and public pressure determine the outcome?
A System Under Scrutiny
The Limpopo case is a testament to what is possible when justice is pursued with determination and integrity. The police and prosecutors did not hesitate. They did not wait for public outcry or media scrutiny. They simply did their jobs.
Yet, as the Meyiwa case drags on, faith in the system is eroded. Each delay, each unexplained decision, chips away at the public’s trust. For many, the lesson is clear: justice in South Africa can be swift and uncompromising—but only when the will exists to make it so.
A Call to Action
As the nation watches these cases unfold, the message is clear. Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done. The public deserves transparency, accountability, and above all, fairness.
Cases like that of Muladi Moab remind us of the devastating consequences of unchecked belief and misguided loyalty. But they also show us what is possible when the law is applied without fear or favor.
For those following the Meyiwa trial, the call is simple: demand answers. Demand action. Demand that every suspect, regardless of status or connections, faces the same scrutiny and consequences. Only then can South Africa begin to restore faith in its legal system.
Join the Conversation
As we continue to bring you the latest updates on crime and justice in South Africa, we invite you to join the conversation. Subscribe, comment, and share your views. Justice is not just the responsibility of the courts—it is the duty of every citizen to hold the system accountable.
Let us learn from Limpopo. Let us demand better in every courtroom, for every victim, and for every accused. Only then can we truly say that justice has been served.
