- Theophilus “Theo” Mphosi was the head of the Rheinland Group of companies and a father of five. He died suddenly on 5 June 2022. An autopsy report, which was conducted by Dr. Moleka Vincent Mojapelo, concluded his death was consistent with pneumonia.
Pathologists Confirm that Theophilus Mphosi Died from Poisoning.
The family of the late Theophilus Mphosi said in a statement that two independent forensic pathology specialists have verified that Mphosi did not die from pneumonia but that he was poisoned.
The case has now changed into a murder investigation.
This comes after Mphosi’s sister, Moditswi Cindrella Ramokoto, did not believe that her brother died from pneumonia but suspected that he was poisoned.
She approached the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane and launched an urgent application to exhume her brother’s body.
The Limpopo High Court granted the orders for the urgent exhumation of Mphosi’s remains, with a strict set of instructions on how tests and processes aimed at establishing his cause of death must be carried out.
In a statement, the family said the two independent forensic pathologists, appointed by the family and the court, conducted thorough examinations on samples of remains collected at the exhumation and independently and separately concluded that the cause of death was poisoning.
“Independent forensic reports have conclusively ruled out any natural causes and confirmed foul play,” said Ramokoto.
The family said they are awaiting the state pathologist’s report. They said the delay in the state pathologist’s report is preventing them from obtaining justice and closure.
“However, despite the findings of the private forensic pathologists, the criminal investigation and subsequent prosecution cannot proceed without the official report from the appointed state pathologist. This report is a critical piece of evidence required to move the case forward,” the statement said.
Limpopo Health dept spokesperson Neil Shikwambana said the state pathologist’s report on Mphosi has been finalised.
“We have completed the report and it has been signed out to SAPS, who should, subject to their own internal processes, consult the family about it,” he said.