Richard Mdluli pleads for mercy

‘I am asking for mercy from the court, to feel for me and my children.’ These were the words of convicted former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli, who pleaded with Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng yesterday for sympathy when delivering his sentence, says a News24 report. Despite intending to appeal both his conviction and upcoming sentence, Mdluli asked the Gauteng High Court (Johannesburg) yesterday to consider his personal circumstances. Mdluli also told the court that he and his former colleague Mthembeni Mthunzi were wrongfully convicted for assaulting and kidnapping Oupa Ramogibe. Ramogibe was the husband of Tshidi Buthelezi, who had previously been Mdluli's lover. Buthelezi died from an illness while Ramogibe was gunned down in 1999. ‘I am not making myself a saint. I have never lifted a hand to any woman. My wife and children can attest to that,’ Mdluli said. ‘I know you have found me guilty and I have indicated what I am doing for my children and extended family. I don't want to say the state has an agenda against me. I am asking for mercy from the court, to feel for me and my children.’

Earlier he told the court that the charges against him were trumped up after he was promoted to head the Crime Intelligence division, notes News24. ‘Why was the case not opened then, in 1998, and it was only opened in 2010?’ he asked. He said his young children in Cape Town and extended family were all financially dependent on him. ‘Raising kids is not only about money. There are many things that need to be taken care of when raising your children. Most of the time, I take them to and from their school in Cape Town daily, attend parents' meetings and all school activities.' He spoke of his fear of imprisonment. ‘I have a pain in my right shoulder which attacks me at night, and I am worried that if I am kept in prison that pain will kill me. There is no specific warder who will take care of me while I'm there. I will one day wake up dead in my cell. … and my children will suffer growing up without a father like I did.’ Mdluli was found guilty on four counts of intimidation, two counts of kidnapping, two of common assault and two of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm in July 2019. Mthunzi was found guilty on two counts of kidnapping, two of common assault and two of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

House arrest has been recommended for Mdluli and Mthunzi, according to another News24 report. Social worker Mulalo Nematendani told the court she made her recommendations after interviewing the victims in the matter. Nematendani said Oupa Ramogibe's mother, Maletsatsi, and her family lived in constant fear and were battling financially as they were relocated through a witness protection programme away from their Vosloorus home for three years. In response, Mdluli's lawyer, Ike Motloung, said Maletsatsi was the secondary victim. 'There is a danger that the accused may be punished for that murder. Unfortunately, it is not the case here. They were never charged with murder. The court found Oupa was assaulted either in 1998 or round about there,' he said. Ramogibe's murder has never been solved.