The Stolen Watch From Murder Runner Was Bought By A Nigerian National For Just R900

The investigation into the murder of Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, a 38-year-old South African woman who was killed in Kempton Park, has taken another turn after court proceedings revealed that her stolen smartwatch was allegedly bought by a Nigerian national for just R900. The Garmin smartwatch, reportedly worth between R9,000 and R11,000, is now at the centre of a criminal case involving three men accused of handling and trading the device after Moselakgomo’s disappearance. The revelation has raised questions about how the watch changed hands and whether the transactions could help investigators establish what happened to the woman before her body was discovered.

The Nigerian national, identified in court reports as Kenneth Chibuzor, appeared at the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court alongside two other accused, Stephen Mohlakwane Sekhukhune and Danial Anthony Moat. The three men are facing charges linked to the alleged theft and handling of the smartwatch, including allegations relating to second-hand goods regulations. However, the accused have not been charged with Moselakgomo’s murder, and the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.

According to the state’s account presented in court, Chibuzor allegedly purchased the smartwatch from an unidentified person on September 10, 2026, one day after Moselakgomo was last seen alive. He reportedly paid R900 for the device before selling it to Sekhukhune. The prosecution has raised questions about the transaction and whether the required details about the person who sold the watch were recorded in accordance with South Africa’s Second-Hand Goods Act.

The reported purchase price has attracted particular attention because it was significantly lower than the smartwatch’s estimated retail value. A device valued at thousands of rand allegedly changing hands for R900 has prompted questions about whether the buyer knew, or should reasonably have suspected, that the item might have been stolen. Nevertheless, the price alone does not establish that Chibuzor knew the watch belonged to a crime victim, and that question will depend on the evidence presented during the legal proceedings.

Court reports indicate that Sekhukhune allegedly reset the smartwatch and removed its previous profile information before linking it to his own Gmail account at approximately 11:43 a.m. on September 10. He subsequently sent photographs of the device to Moat, who allegedly acquired it for R4,000. Moat is accused of advertising the watch for sale on Facebook Marketplace at the same price.

The sequence of transactions has become a central part of the state’s case because investigators are attempting to establish how Moselakgomo’s personal property moved between different individuals shortly after she disappeared. Digital information connected to the smartwatch, together with the accounts of the accused and any available transaction records, could assist investigators in reconstructing the device’s movements.

Chibuzor reportedly operates a second-hand goods business in Kempton Park. Prosecutors have raised concerns about whether he complied with the legal requirements governing the purchase and resale of second-hand items. South African law places obligations on businesses dealing in used goods, including requirements intended to help authorities trace property and investigate suspected theft.

The accused face charges linked to the alleged theft and handling of the smartwatch, while the state has also raised issues concerning compliance with second-hand goods regulations. Reports have indicated that the prosecution’s case includes allegations relating to the handling of suspected stolen property and money laundering. The precise application of the charges to each accused remains a matter for the court to determine.

The proceedings have also drawn attention to Chibuzor’s immigration status. Authorities reportedly sought assistance from the Department of Home Affairs to verify his documents, while the state opposed his release on bail as the verification process continued. Sekhukhune and Moat were reportedly granted bail of R10,000 each, subject to conditions imposed by the court. The matter was postponed to October 19, 2026, for further proceedings.

The smartwatch case is linked to the wider investigation into Moselakgomo’s death. The 38-year-old was reportedly last seen on September 9 after leaving her home in Kempton Park for a run. When she failed to return, her eight-year-old daughter alerted relatives, prompting concern among family members. Her body was discovered on September 12 behind a hotel on York Street in the Rhodesfield area of Kempton Park.

Her death shocked relatives and members of the local community, particularly because she had reportedly left home for what appeared to be an ordinary running routine. The discovery of her body prompted questions about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the events that occurred during the days before she was found.

Investigators have been working to establish whether the smartwatch and other evidence could provide useful information about Moselakgomo’s final movements. Although the transactions involving the device have resulted in criminal proceedings, investigators must still establish the facts surrounding the killing itself. The recovery or resale of a murder victim’s belongings can form part of an investigation, but it does not automatically prove that everyone who handled those items was involved in the murder.

The case has also attracted attention amid wider concerns about violence against women in South Africa. Moselakgomo’s death has added to calls for stronger action against gender-based violence and for investigations into the killings of women to be conducted thoroughly. For her family, the court proceedings may provide important information about the handling of her belongings, but they have not yet answered the central question of who was responsible for her death.

As the case continues, the prosecution will have to present evidence supporting its allegations against the three accused. The defence will also have the opportunity to challenge the state’s account and contest any claims that have not been established in court. Until a court reaches a verdict, all three men remain entitled to the presumption of innocence.

For now, the alleged R900 purchase has become one of the most closely scrutinised details in the case because of the smartwatch’s reported value and the timing of the transaction. Investigators will be expected to establish who originally possessed the device, how it was obtained and whether the evidence can help clarify the circumstances surrounding Moselakgomo’s death. As the legal proceedings continue, her family and the public will be watching for answers while the murder investigation remains unresolved.

https://x.com/Sowetan1981/status/2109711147783880751

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