The family of Bonolo Modiseemang, who was allegedly murdered by her aunt Segomotsi Agnes Setshwantsho to benefit from insurance payouts, want her to rot in jail.
Setshwantsho’s bail application was postponed to 6 December by the Molopo Magistrates Court in Mahikeng North West. The 49-year-old Setshwantsho is facing a charge of murder, two of fraud and one of defeating the ends of justice.
Speaking to Newsnote, Modiseemang’s mother Brenda Matolo called on the Justice system to deny Setshwantsho bail and to be handed a life sentence. According to the deceased’s mother, Bonolo fell sick after allegedly eating a sandwich brought by Setshwantsho from Gauteng and passed away on her way to hospital.
Matolo says she is still shocked by the incident because Setshwantsho used to be a good member of the family, who bought them food, and even facilitated the marriage of the deceased.
“The two children of the deceased are aware of the suspected killer who is the aunt of their mother and that has badly affected them. The nine-year-old first-born boy has been behaving strangely since the passing of his mother in March this year. His actions are of a mentally disturbed person. Community members are also complaining of the boy’s behaviour out there. We believe that after counselling the boy will be better,” said Matolo.
The family also appealed to Newsnote to help arrange counselling for them, adding that their lives have drastically changed since the exhumation of Bonolo’s body.
She warned the public not to share their identity numbers with family members or anyone after their experience with their in-law.
During her bail application, her lawyer Nhlanhla Mahlangu read her bail affidavit stating that she will plead not guilty to all the charges.
She also claimed that she was a chronic patient suffering from hypertension, diabetes and hasn’t taken medication since her arrest two weeks ago in Centurion.
The National Prosecuting Authority said it will oppose her bail application and is expected to call investigating officer Sergeant Keshi Mabunda to the stand.
The national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said through analysis and collection of evidence including the exhumation of a body, the team was able to link the 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, where a female relative died under mysterious circumstances. Investigations have revealed that the suspect fraudulently took out insurance on behalf of her relative before her murder. Police are conducting further investigations, with the possibility of adding more charges against the accused,” added Mathe.