By Doreen Mokgolo
- Celebrity traditional healer Gogo Maweni has been granted R5,000 bail despite having previous convictions.
- The sangoma, who is pregnant with twins, faces assault charges and is linked to four murder investigations.
Popular sangoma Gogo Maweni walked free from court on Monday after paying R5,000 bail at the Protea Magistrate’s Court in Soweto.
The court heard that Maweni, whose real name is Makgotso Mofokeng, lied at her first court date by claiming she had no previous convictions.
The state tried to stop her from getting bail, saying she committed the crime while serving a suspended sentence for a similar case.
In her bail application, read by her lawyer, Maweni said she needed to get out of jail because she was pregnant with twins.
“Prison doesn’t make provision for my much-needed medication, diet and other needs. My continued incarceration may lead to a miscarriage and a life-threatening situation for me,” she said.
“The environment in prison is not made for a pregnant woman; my pregnant condition makes me a soft target for criminal activities prevailing in prison.”
She added that staying in jail would hurt her business and her workers because she needs to be there in person.
In 2017, Kliptown police arrested her for assault. She received a three-year sentence, suspended for five years.
She also has other convictions: a suspended sentence for breaking traffic laws in 2009, and a R20,000 fine or six months in jail (suspended for three years) for fraud in 2018.
The 39-year-old was arrested two weeks ago for allegedly hitting someone with a bottle in December 2019 over a stolen cellphone.
The state told the court that while the victim was going to get medical help, Maweni threatened that she had enough money to bribe police if they opened a case.
Maweni promised not to interfere with witnesses or the investigation if released.
Police are also investigating possible links between her and four murder cases reported in Eldorado Park, Mondeor, Orange Farm, and Bekkersdal between 2020 and 2024.
Pictured above: Dr Maweni.
Source: Supplied
