Kula was arrested by the police in Kanana on Friday, 20 January 2023, for the alleged murder of his wife in November 2022.

The North West National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) Henry Mamothame says the Orkney Magistrate's Court postponed the case against Kula to 27 January 2023 for a formal bail application. Mamothame added that the state intends to oppose bail, owing to the seriousness of the matter.

Kula’s wife was found murdered in what seemed like a robbery. She was found with a stab wound in her back, but the object used for her alleged murder has not been recovered. The matter was reported by the accused, who indicated that he was not at the house when the incident occurred.

Meanwhile, the ANC Women League's provincial convenor, Bitsa Lenkopane, said that the murder is a painful reminder of the prevalence of gender-based violence and femicide that many women and children still face.

ALSO READ: ANCWL demands justice following North West woman's murder

ANCYL spokesperson, Kutkwano Mothusi, said that they hope and trust that those guilty will face the full wrath of the law.

“The ANCYL in the north are ambassadors of a just society, law, and order.  We are the champions of morality and ethics”.

ALSO READ: ANCYL condemns North West woman's murder

News24 reports that Kula's lawyer, Gcina Dlanjwa, argued that he should be granted bail: "He is the sole breadwinner for their three minor kids. They are left unattended and looked after by his younger brother and neighbours."

Dlanjwa added that keeping Kula in custody would infringe on his rights. "The State has not advanced substantial reasons why he must be in custody. Kula undertook, from the first day, to assist the police to his best ability to find the culprits who committed the deed." 

The prosecutor, Harriet Seiphehlo, argued that Kula be kept in custody. 

"I've highlighted that before we can proceed, I have insufficient information that I need to be assisted with by the investigating officer.

"The murder happened last year. The case was only brought to court today. We don't have enough information. We ask to be given enough time to discuss the matter with the investigating officer," Seiphehlo said. 

"What about the interests of the deceased and her family here?"

ALSO READ: ANC MP due in court for murder

OFM News previously reported that in social media posts, Mothlomi spoke openly about the gender-based violence (GBV) she claimed she was put through. In one post she said: "GBV is real, if I wake up killed or any of my family members, please don’t look far." 

OFM News