Mogashoa Murders: Child’s Emotional Words Move South Africans As Chego and Nkuna Get Life Sentences
- The Pretoria High Court sentenced former police sergeant Jacob Mothibe Chego and serial killer Rassie Hlabirwa Nkuna to life imprisonment
- Chego and Nkuna were convicted of the 2022 premeditated murders of Lucky Mogashoa and his heavily pregnant wife, Sabeliwe
- A video of one of the couple's young children responding to news of the sentencing went viral, drawing widespread emotion from South Africans
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG - "I don't want him to kill the rest of God's people."
Those were the words of the youngest child of Lucky and Sabeliwe Mogashoa, who was reacting to news that her parents' killers were sentenced to life behind bars. The Mogashoas were murdered in March 2022.
On 2 September 2026, the Pretoria High Court handed down life sentences to Jacob Mothibe Chego and Rassie Hlabirwa Nkuna for the premeditated murders of the couple. Chego, a former South African Police Service (SAPS) sergeant and Nkuna, a convicted serial killer, faced multiple charges, including premeditated double murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, fraud, defeating the ends of justice, and aggravated robbery.
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The couple were ambushed by Mogashoa
In March 2022, Chego, who served in the Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, contacted Lucky Mogashoa under false pretences, claiming that his stolen vehicle had been recovered at a police impound.
Lucky travelled to retrieve the car accompanied by Sabeliwe, who was heavily pregnant at the time. The couple's two young children, aged one and eight, were also with them.
Nkuna intercepted the family while posing as a police officer tasked with escorting them. He held the family at gunpoint, forced both parents into an open veld alongside the N12 highway, and shot them each in the head. He then fled in the family's vehicle, leaving the two children behind. The eight-year-old carried the one-year-old sibling along the N12 to seek help and later provided crucial testimony during the trial.
Nkuna is already serving two life sentences for the murders of his former partner Pretty Mazibuko and her sister Marcia, and is also linked to the high-profile murder of Hillary Gardee. Nkuna was out on parole at the time of the murder.
South Africans left emotional by toddler's words
The toddler's response drew an outpouring of grief and anger from viewers across the country.
Ntombi Zodwa wrote:
"Yoh, my heart just sank for this child."
Avril Davis called for harsher consequences, saying:
"Bring back the death sentence. Prison is no justice. It's a lekker life for these animals while the family of the victims have to go through this day to day with no compensation."
Nobuhle Manqoyi added:
"God have mercy. Can you imagine."
Charles Ramsay added:
"Bring back the death sentence. Why do we have to pay to feed and clothe the likes of these people?"
Hilary Lock expressed condolences, asking:
"What was the motive for the killings? Why would anyone do such a thing? Condolences to their families."
Nkuna bought a BMW while behind bars
Briefly News reported that Nkuna used money he received from cash-in-transit heists to buy vehicles while behind bars.
Nkuna was granted parole in 2022 despite being a high-risk offender and went on to commit a few murders after his release.
South Africans slammed the justice system because of the way Nkuna was able to conduct business while still in jail.
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Source: Briefly News
