Madikwe -Two men accused of murder and stock theft appeared in the Madikwe Magistrate’s Court on Friday, North West police said.

Modise Mekgwe, 32, and Isaac Setshedi, 33, would be back in court on March 7 for a bail application, Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

They are accused of killing a 72-year-old man, whose burnt body was found in bushes near Molatedi village, Madikwe, on February 19.

A charge of defeating the ends of justice had also been added.

“They hid his burnt body with shrubs in the bush. That is why they are also facing a charge of defeating the ends justice.”

The man, a subsistence farmer, was last seen on February 17

herding his livestock. He was reported missing the following day. His 70 sheep and 120 goats were stolen.

Mekgwe’s sister handed him to police on Monday. The victim was Mekgwe’s uncle.

Setshedi is the sister’s boyfriend. Mekgwe appeared in court on Wednesday. Setshedi was arrested that day after Mekgwe allegedly implicated him in the crime.

“He 1/8Setshedi 3/8 admitted the incident and informed the police that the stolen livestock was sold at a butchery in Alexandra 1/8Gauteng 3/8,” said Mokgwabone.

Eleven goats and four sheep believed to have belonged to the victim were found in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, on Thursday.

Three men, including the butchery owner, were taken into custody for possession of stolen goods. They would appear in the Madikwe Magistrate’s Court on Monday. – Sapa