By: Kaya 959 News
A suspect accused of murdering KwaZulu-Natal socialite Kavitha Nerputh in Pietermaritzburg last year, told the court that Nerputh asked him to kill her.
Thirty-seven-year-old Simphiwe Mweli, refuted allegations against him. He told Magistrate Bhekizitha Phoswa that he did see Nerputh on January 20, 2020 however he declined her offer when she asked him if he wanted a job. Nerputh owned a herbal weight-loss tea company, Foreverwell Tea based in Camps Drift in the KZN Midlands.
Last year, Nerputh made headlines after she sought a court order against a former friend, who she accused of cyber bullying.
Nerputh’s body was found slumped in the seat of her Audi Q7 in Alexandra Park. It was reported that she had been strangled with a cellphone cable.
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Mweli was arrested just days after Nerputh’s death. He was reportedly the last person to be seen with Nerputh.
In court proceedings yesterday, Mweli said he met with Nerputh in Alexandra Park and she offered him money to kill her. He said he refused her offer, got out of her vehicle and walked away.
Nerputh’s lifeless body was found in her vehicle by police officers who patrolled the area later that day. The officers said they approached Nerputh’s vehicle and shone their torches through the window to see who or what was inside. After assessing the scene, they contacted the SAPS K9 Unit for further assistance. Paramedics were also contacted and she was declared dead.
The advanced life support paramedic who checked Nerputh, said he was unable to find a pulse. He said he could not detect her breathing and her pupils were fixed and dilated.
Her handbag was still in the car. There were also court papers on the passenger seat.
The matter is back on the roll today.
In a separate matter, a 34-year-old man pleaded guilty to 13 charges against him. He claimed that in all the crimes, he used a toy gun to threaten his victims.
Johnny Mapadimeng was linked to several rape cases via his DNA.
In one of his crimes, Mapadimeng robbed a couple of their belongings in Cullinan. He said he bound the man’s hands and took the woman to an area a short distance where he raped her.
READ: Family call for life sentence for murdered Lenasia mom of 4



