Mbatha’s Murder Case Set For August At The High Court
The Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court deferred the case against four suspects, charged with the murder of Sam Mbatha, to 29 August 2022, for a first appearance at the High Court of South Africa; North West Division that will sit at the Garankuwa Regional Court. The state provided the defence attorneys with the indictment, detailing all the charges relating to the murder. A pre-trial conference date will be decided when the matter appears at the high court.
Meanwhile, Junior Modise(21) is out on free bail and warned to be present in all court appearances, while Thato Mosetlha (22), was denied bail on 07 July 2022, after he initially abandoned it after his arrest. Khoza and Nkuna, are still out on R500 bail each. Their bail conditions are that they must report to the Klipgat Police Station, every Wednesday and Sunday, between 17h00 and 18h00, and they are also barred from interfering with the state’s witnesses.
Arthur Khoza (19), Thato Masetla (22), Junior Modise (21) and Mahlatsi Nkuna (21), were all arrested following an intensive investigation by the police, linking the to the murder of Mbatha. Police investigations led them to a house in the Phutha section, Klipgat on Monday, 21 June 2021, the house was searched and they found bloodstains on the floor, under and on top of a bed as well on the carpet.
Furthermore, an axe suspected to have been used during the commission of this crime was found on top of the roof of the house. DNA samples positively identified Sam Mbatha as the deceased person, whose body was found inside a burnt Hyundai i20 vehicle at a soccer field in Ikageng Section on 10 January 2021.
Enquiries:
Henry Mamothame
NPA Regional Spokesperson
North West Division
082 317 5731