By OBAKENG MAJE
4 September 2024– A man (62) who was arrested for allegedly killing his three family members by poisoning them, will briefly appear before Bloemhof Magistrate’s Court today. Initially, three family members, who died over a period of three years, were buried and considered to have died due to natural causes.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said in all three cases, Daniel Mokwai successfully claimed from his insurance policies. Myburgh said, however, family members reported him to the police after becoming suspicious that he murdered their relatives by allegedly buying all three of them pies.
“They would then get sick after eating the pie and eventually die. The bodies of all three deceased were exhumed and pathology reports confirmed that they were poisoned, leading to the murder investigations.
“In the first incident, reported on 5 December 2020, a boy (16), died at midday between Phuduhudu and Gopane, near Bloemhof. The boy was the relative of Mokwai’s wife,” she said.
Myburgh further said the second deceased (17), who was also the relative of the wife of the accused, died on Wednesday night,1 December 2021, in Boitumelong Township, outside of Bloemhof. She added that the last victim, Mothibi Alpheos Mokwai (31), was the accused’ son.
“He died on Sunday afternoon, 9 October 2022, at his house in Mathyse Street in Bloemhof. Mokwai was remanded in custody until his second court appearance on 4 September 2024, for legal representation. Through prosecution led investigations, police identified Mokwai as a suspect and obtained a warrant of arrest that was effected on 26 August 2024,” said Myburgh.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, said it is unacceptable that young children were murdered by someone they trusted. Kwena reiterated that the police will continue to work hard to remove criminals such as this one from society.
“We call upon insurance companies and members of the public to report cases, where they suspect foul play or criminal activity when they process insurance claims,” he said.
The Guardian 