JUDGEMENT RESERVED ON THE BAIL APPLICATION OF WOMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER AND INSURANCE FRAUD
The Molopo Magistrates’ Court deferred the case against Agnes Setshwantsho to 19 January 2024, for judgment on her bail application. The state and the defence attorney have completed their closing arguments, following testimony by the investigating officer and the correctional nurse from the facility where the accused is detained. 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 police 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 two bodies, 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.
