Sam Mbatha Murder Case Postponed To May
The Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates’ Court postponed a case against four suspects, charged with the murder of Sam Mbatha to 17 May 2022, for further investigations and the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) decision. Arthur Khoza (19), Thato Masetla (22), Junior Modise (21) and Mahlatsi Nkuna (21), were all arrested following an intensive investigation by the police. Meanwhile, Junior Modise is still at large and a warrant for his arrest was issued and his bail revoked.
In the meantime, Masetlha abandoned his bail application while Khoza and Nkuna are still out on R500 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.
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 2022.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West is in the process of finalising the transfer of the case to the High Court of South Africa; North West Division, owing to the serious nature of the offence committed.
Enquiries:
Henry Mamothame
NPA Regional Spokesperson
North West Division
082 317 5731