Picture: Four accused persons, Donald Seolesang, Tshepo Visagie, Kgomotso Mpumlwana and Tshepaone Melato in treble murder case
By OBAKENG MAJE
The trial in a treble murder case against four accused persons, Donald Seolesang (23), Tshepo Visagie (39), Kgomotso Mpumlwana (46), and Tshepaone Melato (22) has been adjourned by the Northern Cape High Court sitting in Kimberley until 24 April 2024.
Seolesang, Visagie, Mpumlwana, and Melato are facing various serious charges, which include three counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances as well as kidnapping. They are accused of killing the elderly couple, Danie Brand (83), his wife Breggie (73), and their daughter Elzabie (54), who went missing in Hartswater on 26 July 2020.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the bodies of the three victims were found days later around Taung after an intense multi-disciplined police operation that was assembled to locate their whereabouts.
“During their numerous court appearances, Mpumlwana, applied for bail in the Hartswater District Court and the prosecution successfully opposed the bail application. The other accused abandoned their bail applications.
“In this matter which began in 2022, the state has closed its case. The defense started its case with accused number one, Donald Seolesang taking the stand to defend his case and it ended with the accused being cross-examined by the prosecution led by Senior State Advocate Adele Van Heerden and State Advocate Mary-Ann Engelbrecht,” he said.
Senokoatsane further said during Seolesang’s cross-examination, the high court heard how he had to travel from one village to another to wash the victim’s car, which was full of blood believed to be that of the three victims. He added that the court also heard how the accused went about selling the victims’ properties such as a laptop to members of the community.
“The court also heard how the accused were driving from one destination to another, with the victims’ car without any worry of what they had done.
“The trial will resume on 24 April 2024, in the High Court and the accused continue to be incarcerated at the Kimberly Prison until the conclusion of their trial,” said Senokoatsane.
The Guardian 