Picture: A murder and fraud accused, Agnes Segomotsi Setshwantsho/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The accused who is facing a murder, two counts of fraud and one of defeating the ends of justice, Agnes Segomotsi Setshwantsho (49) was remanded in custody by the Molopo Magistrate’s Court until 11 January 2023 for formal bail hearing. It is alleged that Setshwantsho killed her relatives to benefit from insurance claims.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, Setshwantsho was allegedly traced and arrested in Centurion, outside Pretoria during a takedown operation led by Sergeant Kheshi Mabundad on 16 November 2023.
He said this was done in collaboration and full cooperation with an insurance company.
“The police further reported that, in the past two months, Sergeant Keshi Mabunda and a team of detectives have been working on the case following a tip-off from relatives of the suspect. Through analysis and collection of evidence, including the exhumation of a body, the team was able to link its latest suspect to the team’s first focus of the case.
“According to the police report, the murder that was initially ruled a natural death, happened in Mmabatho in the North West, where a female relative died under mysterious circumstances in March 2023. The investigations have revealed that the suspect fraudulently took out insurance on behalf of her relative before her murder,” said Mamothame.
He said the police are conducting further investigations with the possibility of adding more charges against the accused. Mamothame added that the state is expected to re-examine Mabunda after the defence attorney completed its cross-examination.
“The state is also expected to call on its second witness from the correctional facility, where the accused is detained. It emerged in court that this witness received death threats from the accused and investigation is being conducted by the Hawks.
“Meanwhile, the accused will remain in police custody pending the outcome of the bail application,” he said.
The Guardian 