The high court, sitting in Mahikeng, heard on Monday (20/1) that consultations with Agnes Setshwantsho (50) and her lawyer were continuously disrupted at the Mahikeng Female Prison where she was kept.

The trial was postponed to allow her advocate time to properly consult with his client as he claimed prison officials insisted on being present in consultations, violating her right to private attorney-client discussions.

“The trial will officially start on Friday,” said North West NPA spokesperson Sive Gunya, “… to allow the defence to finish consultations with his client. A way forward on the duration of the trial will be determined … when it starts”.

‘She had reportedly killed her relatives to profit from insurance claims’

The alleged insurance killer has been charged with murder, two counts of fraud, and one count of defeating the ends of justice. After an investigation by the police and an insurance company, it was discovered that she had reportedly killed her relatives to profit from insurance claims.

It is alleged she is the beneficiary of 58 insurance policies from her extended family.

“More murder and fraud charges were added to Setshwantsho’s charge sheet when she made an appearance in the Kuruman Magistrate’s Court in February,” said Gunya.

The additional charges relate to a claim by the accused after her son died in “suspicious circumstances” in February, said Gunya. She had insured his life for R6 million.

News 24 reports Setshwantsho’s advocate, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, claimed lawyers were not allowed to take electronic equipment into the prison, restricting him from reviewing electronic evidence of his client’s fraud charges.

The recordings will establish whether the accused obtained multimillion-rand life insurance policies for her niece Bonolo Modiseemang (30) and son Kutlo Setshwantsho (19).

Setshwantsho was arrested in November 2023 during a takedown operation led by the police in collaboration with an insurance company before she could receive R3 million in life insurance after Modiseemang’s death and R6 million for her son Kutlo.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame cg