The family of a Mahikeng woman in the North West Bonolo Modiseemang who was allegedly killed by her aunt Agnes Setshwantsho for insurance claims, want the accused to be denied bail.
This as the Molopo Magistrates Court will today hand down judgment on her bail application.
Speaking to Newsnote, the deceased’s father George Botlhoko reiterated the call for her alleged murder to rot in jail.
“We want the court to deny her bail.
The community is not safe around her and we are afraid she might do something evil again and evade trial,” said Botlhoko.
The 30-year-old Modiseemang is survived by her underage kids and the family said they still haven’t come to terms that their mother is no more.
According to Botlhoko, the deceased’s children are still traumatized by the whole ordeal, especially when they see the perpetrator, whom they are related to, on tv.
According to the state, the deceased allegedly fell sick after eating a sandwich brought by the accused from Gauteng and passed away on her way to hospital in March 2023.
Police reported earlier that the murder that was initially ruled a “natural death” happened in Mmabatho, where a female died under mysterious circumstances.
Investigations later revealed that Setshwantsho fraudulently took out R3 million insurance on behalf of her relative before her murder.
Setshwantsho has been in custody since her arrest in November last year on charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice and fraud.
Both the state and the defence concluded their final arguments on Monday, and judgement was reserved for today.
The National Prosecuting Authority in the North West is opposed to Setshwantsho’s release on bail, arguing that it is in the best interest of justice for her to be remanded in custody until the completion of the case.
During the bail application, state witness who is also the investigating officer, Sergeant Kheshi Mabunda, told the court that the accused is a flight risk and can evade trial if released on bail.
This was however rebutted by the defence lawyer Nhlanhla Mahlangu who argued that the state has failed to prove that his client is a flight risk.