Rustenburg - Two men accused of petrol bombing a house, killing three people including an eight-month-old baby, appeared briefly in the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane near Rustenburg on Wednesday.
The case against Nicholas “Molefe” Ntsimane, 38, and Letlhogonolo Mokgofa, 30, was postponed to July 22 for further investigation.
The two allegedly petrol bombed a house in Bester, Tlhabane, on May 16, killing Kealeboga Segopa, 30, her eight-month old daughter Kaboyaona and Kealeboga’s mother Mmapula, aged 55. They died on arrival at a local hospital after they allegedly inhale smoke. They had been pulled out of the burning house by neighbours.
Ntsimane was arrested on May 29, on an armed robbery and hijacking case in which he had allegedly robbed an off-duty police officer of his his service pistol and driven off in his car in Tlhabane on December 15.
Detectives found during questioning that he was directly linked to the murder 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.
His co-accused Letlhogonolo 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 attempted murder, murder, hijacking, armed robbery, arson, malicious damaged to property, contravention of the Explosive Act and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
ANA