The High Court of South Africa, Northwest Division sitting at the Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court postponed the murder case against Arthur Khoza (19), Mahlatsi Nkuna (21), and Thato Mosetla (22), 02 November 2023 for judgment.
The three are facing charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, murder, malicious damage to property and defeating the ends of justice.
Northwest division NPA Regional Spokesperson Henry Mamothame said these charges are linked to the gruesome death of Sam Mbatha (24). The state, through Adv Nangamso Goloda, closed its case after leading evidence through its witnesses who testified on incidents leading to Mbatha’s death.
The three were arrested following an intensive investigation by the police, linking them to the murder of Mbatha.
“Police investigations led them to a house in the 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,” Mamothame said.
He said 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 07 July 2022, after he initially abandoned it, after his arrest. Meanwhile, Khoza and Nkuna are out on R500 bail each.