Johannesburg - Puffing out his chest and attempting to rush at journalists covering the Uwe Gemballa case, convicted murderer Thabo Mohapi had to be blocked by two Correctional Services officers during his threatening tirade.
On Monday morning, Mohapi and two others, Garland Holworthy and Thabiso Ledwaba, appeared in the high court sitting in Palm Ridge to be sentenced for the murder of German super-car specialist Gemballa in 2010.
Despite a media presence throughout the lengthy court proceedings, Mohapi had on numerous occasions threatened journalists and photographers covering the trial. On Monday, The Star tried to take pictures of him as he chatted to family members and told off his handlers from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).
He protested that journalists weren't allowed to take photos even though the court had granted access for the media to do so when the trial started years ago. He threatened to break journalists’ equipment if they didn't stop taking pictures.
“I will not make a mistake. This is not (just) a threat. I don’t mind getting another six months (in prison),” Mohapi said, trying to move out of the dock and towards journalists in the gallery.
Two DCS officers intervened and prevented him from getting any closer. He continued to swear at them and journalists as he returned to the dock.
Speaking to The Star, one of the officers described him as “an animal”, a nightmare to look after and someone who deserved to remain behind bars.
Mohapi is serving 20 years in prison for another crime.
Arguments for sentencing could not begin because the three convicted murderers requested pre-sentencing reports from the department only yesterday morning. Those close to the case believe this is simply an attempt to stall the sentencing.
Gemballa flew to South Africa in February 2010, allegedly to negotiate opening a new branch of his business here, but went missing from the airport.
The funding for the business was allegedly set to come from notorious Czech businessman Radovan Krejcir and slain Teazers owner Lolly Jackson, who was also murdered in 2010. Gemballa was held at a home in Edenvale for several days before his killers, now proven in court to be Mohapi, Holworthy and Ledwaba, duct-taped his head and then sat on his chest until he suffocated.
His body was wrapped in a black plastic sheet and buried in a shallow grave, where it was found several months later.
The Star