Agnes Setshwantsho is facing shocking charges of murder, two counts of fraud, and obstructing justice at Molopo Magistrates Court. The courtroom was filled with anticipation as her defence attorney presented an affidavit pleading for her to be granted bail. The South African Police Services (SAPS) accused Setshwantsho of murdering her relatives in November 2023 for insurance claims profit.
The arrest occurred during an intelligence operation, involving SAPS and an insurance company. The gravity of the allegations are highlighted by the chilling report. The police have revealed details of a two-month investigation by Sergeant Keshi Mabunda and a team of detectives, which led to the exhumation of a body, a crucial step in connecting Setshwantsho to the suspicious death of a female relative in Mmabatho, North West.
In March 2023, authorities initially considered it a "natural death" but later discovered that Setshwantsho allegedly procured insurance under her relative's name before orchestrating her murder, revealing a web of deceit and raising the spectre of insurance fraud, thereby intensifying the severity of the charges against her.
The police are currently investigating Setshwant- sho's case, considering adding additional charges to her existing list of offences. The gravity of these allegations highlights the complexity of the case and the depth of the investigation required due to its intricacies. Setshwantsho is in police custody, awaiting her fate tied to the bail application outcome.
The postponement of the bail hearing signifies the meticulous scrutiny required in this case, balancing justice for the deceased, potential consequences for the accused, and the integrity of the legal proceedings. The courtroom drama, now rescheduled, is awaited by the community and legal observers. The case's trajectory will be shaped by evidence, testimonies, and legal arguments, leaving a lasting impact on the judicial landscape and affected individuals.
The justice system continues to work, driven by law enforcement's determination to uncover the truth behind the harrowing allegations, with the nation eagerly anticipating the next chapter, seeking resolution for the victims and accountability for the accused. The case of Setshwantsho is almost similar to that of former policewoman, Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu, who was found guilty of killing five relatives and her boyfriend, a trial that gripped the country.
The six people were murdered with the help of a human between 2012 and 2018. The court found that Ndlovu profited from life-insurance payouts. In 2021, Ndlovu was sentenced to six concurrent life terms for the murders and a total of thirty years; plus 10 years for the attempted murder of her mother, Maria Mushawana. Meanwhile, the case against Setshwantsho has been postponed to December 6, to deliberate on her bail application.
