By OBAKENG MAJE

The murder case against three accused persons, Arthur Khoza (19), Mahlatsi Nkuna (21) and Thato Mosetla (22), has been postponed by the North West High Court sitting in Ga-Rankuwa to 7 March 2024 for judgement. Khoza, Nkuna and Mosetla, are facing charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, murder, malicious damage to property and defeating the ends of justice.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, these charges are linked to the gruesome death of the North West University (NWU) employee and socialite, Sam Mbatha (24).

Mamothame further said the trio was arrested following an intensive investigation by the police, linking them to the murder of Mbatha. He added that, the police investigations led them to a house in Phutha Section, near Klipgat on 21 June 2021, where they found bloodstains on the floor, under and on top of a bed, as well as on a carpet.

“Furthermore, an axe suspected to have been used during the commission of this crime was found on top of the roof of the house. DNA samples positively identified Sam Mbatha as the deceased person, whose body was found inside a burnt Hyundai i20 vehicle, at a soccer field in Ikageng Section on 10 January 2021.

“Mosetla was denied bail on 7 July 2022, after he initially abandoned it after his arrest. Meanwhile, Khoza and Nkuna are out on R500 bail each,” he said.

Meanwhile, the state, through Adv Nangamso Goloda, closed its case after leading evidence through its witnesses, who testified on incidents leading to Mbatha’s death.

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