Tshegofatso Pule killer ‘was assaulted by police and lied’, court hears

Malepane claims that police officers assaulted him after his arrest for the murder of Tshegofatso Pule – something he told the court contributed to him lying in his initial statement. 

Malepane continued his testimony in the trial against Ntuthuko Shoba, who is accused of hiring him to kill a pregnant Pule in June 2020.

There are two statements given by Malepane. The first was done shortly after his arrest, and which he later changed. 

He told the court during his testimony on Wednesday that he was traumatised, and assaulted by police when he gave his first statement. 

Malepane was being cross-examined by Shoba’s lawyer, Advocate Norman Makhubela. 

There was a clause in the statement that asked Malepane whether he had been influenced or forced in any way before giving this statement.

He answered “no”. 

When asked why he lied in his initial statement, Malepane said he wanted the process to be fast and that is why he did not ask for a lawyer.

He added that he also wanted to place Shoba at the scene of the crime as he felt he was not taking responsibility for his actions related to Pule’s death.

The witness also told the court officers told him Shoba had already shown them CCTV footage from his complex showing Malepane picking up Pule on the day she died. 

He said he was angry and later, in an interview with a journalist just after he was sentenced, threatened Shoba. 

“I honestly would have hurt him if I got to him before he was caught, I would have made him a hospital case because he has created so many problems for me,” said Malepane.

Malepane is expected to continue his testimony.