Durban - Former South African Air Force officer, Joel Mbuso Mohoasa, accused of killing his wife with a hand grenade, listened intently as his indictment was read out in court on Tuesday.
Mohoasa faces charges of murder, attempted murder, contravening the Explosives Act and endangering the lives of his two minor children.
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The indictment for Mohasa to appear in the high court for trial was read out to the Durban Magistrate’s Court by prosecutor Danette Cole.
According to the summary of substantial facts, Mohoasa was married to Letshego Alice Nteke, a switchboard operator at the South African Air Force (SAAF) base in Durban, and they lived in eManzimtoti with their children. Mohoasa was appointed as a protection officer in the air force in December 1994 and resigned in August 2013.
From 1987-1989 he served in Angola with uMkhonto weSizwe.
On August 29, 2015, the couple and friends travelled in Mohoasa’s car to attend a funeral in KwaDabeka.
After the funeral, they travelled back to Durban and stopped in uMlazi for a meal.
They arrived home at 11pm.
Nteke’s brother, Tsepo Malete, was at the house, babysitting the couple’s children who were asleep when they returned.
It is alleged the pair argued at home and Mohoasa decided to kill his wife.
“He armed himself with two hand grenades and entered the kitchen where the deceased and his brother were. The accused pulled the pin from one grenade and threw it at the feet of the deceased.”
The hand grenade exploded near Nteke, extensively injuring her and causing damage to the home. The State alleges Mohoasa’s actions were premeditated.
There are 26 State witnesses including members of the SAAF.