Three suspects have appeared before the Pretoria
Magistrates’ Court in connection with the killing of a 22-year-old Nigerian
e-hailing driver in South Africa.
The accused — Dikeledi Tears Mphela (24), Goitsione
Machidi (25), and McClaren Mushwana (30) — were arraigned on Monday on charges
of premeditated murder and robbery.
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority
(NPA) confirmed that the suspects abandoned their bail application. The case
has been adjourned to February 23 for further investigations.
According to Lumka Mahanjana, NPA regional
spokesperson for the Gauteng division, the suspects allegedly ordered an
e-hailing service on February 11, 2026, using a mobile number not registered in
their names.
When the vehicle arrived, Mphela and an accomplice —
who remains at large — reportedly entered the car, while the other two suspects
followed in a separate vehicle.
The prosecution alleges that Mphela and her accomplice
forced the driver to stop, strangled him to death, and robbed him of his
cellphone and vehicle, which was later recovered. The attack was captured on a
dashboard camera installed in the car, and the footage subsequently circulated
on social media.
The NPA disclosed that investigations by the South
African Police Service led to Mphela’s arrest on February 13, 2026, while the
two other suspects were apprehended on February 15.
Reports indicate that a fourth suspect later handed
himself over to the police and is expected to face charges.
Dashboard footage reportedly showed a female passenger
attacking the driver while a male passenger in the back seat joined in the
assault. The victim was allegedly strangled from behind, after which his body
was placed in the back seat and the suspects drove off in the hijacked vehicle.
Police later recovered the car with the victim’s body inside.
Nigeria Condemns Killing
Reacting to the incident, the Nigerian government,
through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), condemned the killing
and demanded justice.
NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike
Dabiri-Erewa, called for the arrest and prosecution of all those involved.
She described the rising cases of criminal attacks on
Nigerians in South Africa as troubling and urged South African authorities to
ensure justice for the murdered driver, as well as adequate protection for
non-indigenes living in the country.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that Nigeria and South Africa share
longstanding diplomatic ties and expressed concern over acts of violence
against fellow Africans.
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