WOMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER AND INSURANCE FRAUD CASE POSTPONED FOR FURTHER BAIL HEARING
The Molopo Magistrates’ Court postponed the case against Agnes Setshwantsho to 20 December 2023 for further bail hearing. Her defence attorney read an affidavit on her behalf, stating reasons why she should be granted bail. The investigating officer, Sergeant Kheshi Mabunda, continued with his testimony, providing the court with reasons for opposing bail. He, amongst other things, testified on the false address provided by the accused when she was profiled. The same address was discovered to be provided to insurance companies she is registered with. He further testified on the availability of storage facilities to keep preserving the accused’s chronic medication, dispelling her allegation that such facilities are not available. Sergeant Mabunda was also cross-examined by the accused’s attorney. The state intends to call on the it’s next witness when the matter resumes.
The accused is facing a charge of murder, two of fraud and one of defeating the ends of justice. The South African Police (SAPS) reported that on 16 November 2023. An intelligence operation led to the arrest of the accused on suspicion that she murdered her relatives to benefit from insurance claims. The suspect was traced and arrested in Centurion during a takedown operation led by the SAPS in collaboration and full cooperation with an insurance company.
The SAPS further reported that in the past two months, Sergeant Keshi Mabunda and a team of detectives. have been working on the case following a tip-off from relatives of this suspect. Through analysis and collection of evidence, including the exhumation of a body, the team was able to link its latest 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, in the North West, where a female relative died under mysterious circumstances in March 2023. 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.
Meanwhile, the accused will remain in police custody pending the outcome of the bail application.
