Three Sam Mbatha murder suspects appear in court

The trial of three men accused of murdering Sam Mbatha began at the Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court of the High Court of South Africa, North West Division.

Sam Mbatha was a Grammy-winning MC and an LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex) activist.

Arthur Khoza, age 19, Mahlatsi Nkuna, age 21, and Thato Mosetla, age 22, have been charged with aggravated robbery, kidnapping, murder, malicious damage to property, and subverting the ends of justice.

Ineffective search for the remains of a missing seven-year-old

A man’s charred remains were discovered in a burned Hyundai i20 on a soccer field in Ikageng Section, Potchefstroom, on 17 June 2021.

DNA evidence positively identified the decedent as Sam Mbatha.

In connection with the murder, the suspects were detained on 21 June 2021 at a residence in Phutha Section, Klipgate.

Henry Mamothame, a spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), stated that the state has presented its case with three witnesses and will likely call more as the trial continues.

The hearing is set until Friday, January 27, 2023.

The three were arrested after an exhaustive police investigation linked them to the murder of Mbatha.

“On June 21, 2021, police investigations led them to a residence in the Phutha neighborhood near Klipgat. The police discovered bloodstains on the floor, underneath and atop a bed, and on a carpet.”

“A suspected murder weapon was discovered on the roof of the house,” Mbatha explained.

“DNA samples positively identified Sam Mbatha as the deceased individual whose body was discovered inside a burned Hyundai i20 on a soccer field in Ikageng Section on January 10, 2021.”

Henry Mamothame Mosetla’s bail was denied on July 7, 2022, although he initially waived it following his arrest.

Inmates in the correctional system seek to save taxpayers money.

Khoza and Nkuna are currently out on bail of R500 each. They are prohibited from interfering with the state’s witnesses and are required to report to the Klipgat police station every Wednesday and Sunday between 17:00 and 18:00.


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