Murder and rape accused threatens journalists

446 03/08/2015 Mphephu Takalani is accused of string of charges including attempted murder, rape and theft. Picture:The Star

446 03/08/2015 Mphephu Takalani is accused of string of charges including attempted murder, rape and theft. Picture:The Star

Published Feb 5, 2016

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Johannesburg - Suspected murderer and gang rapist Takalani Mphephu could probably have avoided the media spotlight entirely. However, two incidents where he has threatened The Star journalists and photographers covering other cases in the same courtroom has brought to their attention his alleged rape and robbery spree.

Desperate to avoid being photographed in court, Mphephu has - on two occasions - verbally threatened journalists and court officials, including presiding Judge Louis Vorster.

But not content with just the verbal abuse, he last year stabbed a Tactical Response Team member responsible for keeping his violent antics in check.

On Thursday at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, the sentencing of three men accused of murdering German supercar specialist, Uwe Gemballa, was postponed. This was because the Department of Correctional Services had failed to provide pre-sentencing reports three months since the court last requested them.

However, the three accused happened to be sharing the same courtroom with Mphephu and his two co-accused, Maxwell Mpofu and Irvin Mkhabela. Without any provocation, Mphephu began swearing at The Star team in court. “If you take a photo, I will f*** you up,” he said - over and over again.

When he was informed that The Star was covering a separate matter, it made no difference.

At a previous appearance in August last year, Mphephu threatened a Star team after they were given permission to take pictures for another case in the same court.

“I swear on my dead mother’s grave that if you take any pictures of me I will jump over here and strangle you,” he told the photographer.

Mphephu and his two co-accused are suspected of breaking into homes across Randburg and Linden, robbing them and gang-raping two female residents. Judgment in the trio’s case is expected soon.

One of the men in the Gemballa murder case, Thabo Mohapi, has also threatened to attack those trying to take pictures of him, even with permission from the court.

Sentencing continues on March 10.

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The Star

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