Tshepiso Montswane (33) and Gaonapotso Rantsho (33) were remanded in custody when they appeared at the court on Tuesday after they were arrested in connection with a missing body that was found, and items of clothing of the deceased were found in one of the houses.

The body of Motlalepula Kau was found in a shallow grave in the bushes outside Vryburg on Thursday (24/4). She was reported missing on Wednesday.

“At this point, the … motive for the gruesome murder is unknown,” said North West police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone. “The case against the two suspects was postponed for bail application and profiling.”

Acting North West Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Patrick Asaneng condemned the “gruesome and senseless” murder of Kau, saying police are investigating the motive for the murder.

Meanwhile, a 32-year-old will appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 9 May for a formal bail application, after he was charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, malicious property damage, and crimen injuria.

Police received a complaint on Sunday (27/4) at a house in Thabong, and when they arrived, they found a woman (64) with a stab wound on her right arm. It is alleged that the suspect went to the victim's home, insulted her, and forcefully entered her home before he allegedly stabbed her.

“The woman was able to fight him off, and he ran to a nearby tavern,” said Free State police spokesperson Palesa Thabana. “The suspect was traced to a nearby tavern and was subsequently arrested, and a knife was seized from the suspect.”

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