Mogwase - Two men accused of petrol bombing a house and killing three people, including an eight-month-old baby, appeared briefly in the North West High Court on Monday.
The case against Nicholas “Molefe” Ntsimane, 38, and Letlhogonolo Mokgofa, 30, was postponed to October 24 for trial at the high court sitting at the Mankwe Magistrate's Court in Mogwase, near Rustenburg.
The two allegedly petrol bombed a house in Bester, Tlhabane, on May 16 last year, killing Kealeboga Segopa, 30, her daughter Kaboyaona who was eight months old, and Segopa's mother Mmapula, 55.
The victims died on arrival at a local hospital after they allegedly inhaled smoke. They had been pulled from the burning house by neighbours.
Ntsimane was arrested on May 29, on an armed robbery and hijacking case in which he allegedly robbed an off-duty police officer of his service pistol and drove off with the police vehicle in Tlhabane on December 15.
During questioning by detectives, it was found that he could be linked to the murders of the Segopa family.
Ntsimane is a close relative of the family. He was found in possession of a firearm and eight rounds of live ammunition at the time of his arrest. His co-accused, Mokgofa, was arrested on May 30, in Tlhabane West. He was found in possession of a revolver and three rounds of live ammunition.
The pair face charges ranging from murder, attempted murder, hijacking, armed robbery, arson, malicious damage to property, contravention of the Explosive Act, and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Ntsimane is in custody, while Mokgofa's bail was extended until their next court appearance on October 24.
African News Agency