The son of a Midrand Police Station officer accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife and her Catholic priest has been struggling to eat and has had no appetite for food since his father’s arrest.
This information was revealed on Monday at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court during the bail application of Midrand police station-based Detective Sergeant Mokgesseng Jeffrey Moleko (47).
The court heard the information from statutory social worker Thabang Masetoadi, who was tasked by the court to assess the living conditions, welfare and care, among others, of the two children that Moleko has with his slain, estranged wife, Phumla Dladla (45).
Masetoadi presented his social worker report in court on Monday.
Moleko is facing two counts of murder and one count of unlicensed possession of ammunition in connection with the murders of his estranged wife, Dladla, and her Catholic priest father, Paul Tatu.
State-issued firearm
Moleko is alleged to have shot and killed Dladla and Tatu with his state-issued firearm on April 27, 2024, in Noordwyk, Midrand.
Dladla was killed at her home at the Sagewood Manor complex in Noordwyk, while Tatu was shot near the Samrand offramp on the N1 highway.
Moleko was arrested on Friday, July 18.
The state prosecutor in the case is Yusuf Baba, and the presiding officer is Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe. Moleko is represented by Adv Deon Pool.
During court proceedings on Monday, Masetoadi said Moleko and Dladla have two children together, a boy (15) and a girl (12).
Sunday World cannot identify the names of the children because they are minors and must protect them from victimisation.
Masetoadi said the boy is in grade 9 and the girl is in grade 6.
He said both children are currently living with Moleko’s girlfriend, their stepbrother, and their paternal aunt in Noordwyk.
No appetite for food
Masetoadi said during his interaction with the children, the girl reported that her brother has not been eating properly and has had no appetite for food since Moleko’s arrest.
He said the boy’s sister said he has become “socially withdrawn” since Moleko’s arrest.
Masetoadi said both children are coping with their current living arrangements in Noordwyk.
He said both children are performing well academically at the schools they attend in Noordwyk.
He recommended that the Department of Social Development provide regular counselling for the children due to the trauma they suffered after losing their mother and father to death and incarceration, respectively.
Following the conclusion of Masetoadi’s testimony, Mkhasibe postponed the matter to Thursday for continuation of Masetoadi’s testimony and for closing arguments by the state and defence.
