The first witness was called to testify on Friday (24/1) against Agnes Setshwantsho (50), but he broke down during the testimony, resulting in a postponement due to his emotional state, said North West NPA spokesperson Sive Gunya.

The trial was previously postponed due to a lack of consultations with Setshwantsho’s lawyer, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, who claimed consultations with his client were continuously disrupted at the Mahikeng Female Prison, where she’s being kept. 

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.

‘Setshwantsho is allegedly the beneficiary of 58 insurance policies’

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

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. “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 last year,” said Gunya.

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

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 her niece Bonolo Modiseemang’s death and R6 million for her son Kutlo.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh