Home Affairs Checks Immigration Status of Nigerian Suspect in Moselakgomo Smartwatch Case

• Police are working with the Department of Home Affairs to verify the immigration status of a Nigerian national linked to the smartwatch of slain runner Elizabeth Moselakgomo
• Three men appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Monday on charges relating to the alleged theft of the watch and money laundering connected to its sale
• The State is opposing bail for the Nigerian national while the case has been postponed to 19 October

Authorities are in the process of verifying the immigration status of a Nigerian national implicated in the handling and sale of a smartwatch that belonged to murdered runner Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo.

The South African Police Service is collaborating with the Department of Home Affairs on the verification, while the State simultaneously opposes bail for the suspect. Three men in total appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Monday in connection with the case, facing charges of theft and money laundering tied to the watch's alleged sale.

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How the watch changed hands

According to information presented in court, the smartwatch passed through multiple hands before being sold on Facebook Marketplace. The first accused allegedly purchased the device from an unidentified individual as part of a trade in pawned goods, then sold it to the second accused.

That second man allegedly wiped the watch by resetting it to factory settings and linked it to his own Gmail account before approaching the third accused. The third accused reportedly paid R4,000 via bank transfer, collected the watch three days later, and listed it for sale online. A final buyer subsequently purchased the watch, though that person was not linked to any alleged criminal activity.

Two of the three accused have each been granted bail of R10,000. The State is opposing bail for the first accused, who is the Nigerian national whose immigration status is under scrutiny.

As seen in the post below on X

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Moselakgomo's murder remains a separate matter

Moselakgomo, 38, was reported missing after going for an afternoon run in Kempton Park in September 2026. Her body was later discovered along the R21 highway. None of the three men who appeared in court on Monday has been charged with her murder. Their charges relate solely to the alleged theft and laundering of proceeds from the smartwatch's sale. The case has been postponed to 19 October 2026.

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Source: Briefly News