Central SA
Suspected murderer of ex-lover remanded in custody─── TSHEHLA KOTELI 10:23 Fri, 23 Jun 2023
A man who allegedly murdered his ex-lover in the North West will remain in custody until his next court appearance in the Hartbeesfontein Magistrate’s Court.
According to police spokesperson, Aafje Botma, John Marumagae Khentu (52) was arrested for allegedly murdering his ex-girlfriend (29) after her body was found in an open field.
His arrest follows an investigation by the Anti-Gang Unit following an incident reported on Sunday 19 February 2023 at a tavern in Hartbeesfontein. “It is alleged that the ex-girlfriend met him at the tavern where they had a chat about their child. The two were seen leaving the tavern together at around midnight,” Botma said.
The victim's body was found the next morning in the open field and a case of murder was opened.
Khentu was arrested but the docket was not placed on the roll. “Consequently, the Anti-Gang Unit took the docket for investigation which revealed that the suspect had an insurance policy in which he insured the victim with him being the beneficiary. A Section 205 investigation was conducted leading to a warrant of arrest. The suspect was re-arrested at his workplace in Hartbeesfontein on Tuesday 20 June for murder.”
Khentu is expected in court on Tuesday 27 June 2023 for a formal bail application.
ALSO READ: North West man gets 15 years for girlfriend’s murder
Recently, the Provincial Police Commissioner of the North West, Sello Kwena, praised the sentencing of a murderer who killed his girlfriend. The High Court in Pretoria sentenced Ishmael Mofolo (44) to 15 years' direct imprisonment on Thursday (1/6). Evidence was presented in court demonstrating that on 4 April 2022, the defendant's brother contacted him to inquire as to why he and his girlfriend had not shown up at Letlhabile Mall as scheduled. He hung up the phone after telling his brother what a terrible thing he had done.
OFM News previously reported that the accused was living at their parent’s house, so the brother and sister went there. When they arrived, they knocked on the door, but nobody answered. After forcing the door open, they discovered Florence Bongo's body inside the home, drenched in blood. It was determined that Mofolo attempted suicide by drinking poison. He was arrested and sent to hospital where he was kept under police guard before his trial started.
