Justice Yvonne Mokgoro’s partner sentenced over her death
The court considered the accused's personal circumstances before handing down its sentence.
David Gaolatlhwe Mmelesi, 68, was sentenced to five years imprisonment for culpable homicide following a car accident that resulted in the death of retired Constitutional Court judge Yvonne Mokgoro. The suspension of this sentence for five years is contingent on Mmelesi not being convicted of the same offence during that period.
The collision occurred on April 3, 2023, on the road between Warrenton and Kimberley, Northern Cape, with Mmelesi driving and Mokgoro in the passenger seat. A truck driver testified that the car was stationary with no hazard lights on when Mmelesi made a U-turn, causing the collision. Mokgoro died later in May 2024, aged 74. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) successfully demonstrated that Mmelesi's negligent conduct caused the collision and led to Mokgoro's death.
Mokgoro's eldest son detailed the devastating loss the family suffered, describing her as vibrant, compassionate, and accommodating. The family expressed the emotional, medical, and financial hardships they endured following the collision, including medical expenses and legal costs. The court acknowledged the seriousness of Mmelesi's negligent conduct.
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