Court hears how Tsontso’s smartwatch reached Facebook Marketplace
KEMPTON PARK — Two men accused of handling and reselling a smartwatch belonging to murdered runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo have been granted R10,000 bail each, after a court heard allegations that the device passed through several hands following her disappearance. A third accused remains in custody pending his bail application. None of the three has been charged with her murder.
Stephen Sekhukhune and Danial Anthony Moat were granted bail during Monday’s proceedings at the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court. Their co-accused, Kenneth Chibuzor, is due to return on 19 October for his bail application while authorities verify his immigration documentation. The state did not oppose the release of Sekhukhune and Moat, according to Sowetan’s court report.
Moselakgomo, 38, disappeared on 9 September after leaving for an afternoon run. Her body was discovered in bushes in Kempton Park three days later. The recovery and tracing of her Garmin smartwatch have led to proceedings concerning the alleged theft and subsequent transactions involving the device, while police continue investigating her killing.
According to the prosecution’s account reported by the Mail & Guardian, Chibuzor operated a second-hand goods shop in Kempton Park and allegedly bought the watch from an unidentified person for R900. The state alleges that he failed to obtain and record the seller’s identification and the transaction particulars required under the Second-Hand Goods Act.
The charge sheet, as reported by Daily Maverick, alleges that Chibuzor subsequently sold the device to Sekhukhune. After its settings and previous profile information had been erased, Sekhukhune allegedly registered the watch to his Gmail account at approximately 11.43am on 10 September, the day after Moselakgomo was last seen alive.
Sekhukhune allegedly sent photographs of the watch to Moat, who bought it for R4,000. Moat then allegedly advertised it on Facebook Marketplace and sold it for the same amount. EWN reported that the eventual buyer could not be linked to the alleged criminal activity on the information presented to the court. These transactions form part of the state’s case and have not been proven.
The accused face a common-law theft charge, with alternative charges concerning possession of goods reasonably suspected of being stolen and receiving stolen property without reasonable grounds to believe the seller was entitled to transfer it. The prosecution has also brought money-laundering allegations relating to dealings with the watch. Chibuzor faces additional allegations concerning compliance with second-hand goods legislation.
As conditions of their release, Sekhukhune and Moat must report to Kempton Park police station on Mondays and Fridays. Sowetan reported that they were also ordered to surrender their passports, while Kempton Express reported that they must inform the investigating officer before leaving Gauteng. Their release on bail does not determine the outcome of the charges.
Chibuzor’s immigration status remains under verification by police and the Department of Home Affairs. Sowetan reported that documents supplied to investigators contained conflicting information, prompting further checks. The pending verification has not established that he is unlawfully in South Africa.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe has confirmed that investigations remain underway and that no murder charge had been brought against the suspect initially arrested with property belonging to Moselakgomo. Monday’s proceedings concern the watch and its alleged sale; the search for those responsible for her death continues.
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