Ex-maid and ‘lover’ in court

A HOUSEKEEPER who became wife appeared before the Moretele Magistrate’s Court in North West yesterday to face accusations of killing and burying her husband in the bushes.

Fikile Mongwe, 36, appeared alongside co-accused and boyfriend, Innocent Pilosa, 21.

The pair allegedly killed Selaelo Lekalakala, 61, at his home and wrapped his body in a blanket before burying him in the bush at Bosplaas on New Year’s Day.

Mongwe appeared in court wearing a black skirt, multicoloured top (blue, white and gold), colourful beads around her neck and in her short dreadlocks, and a jacket.

Pilosa wore a khaki jacket and a pair of grey trousers.

The pair did not look at each other nor communicate while in the dock.

They were arrested after Pilosa’s friend, who allegedly helped them to dispose of the body, reported the matter to the police.

Lekalakala’s body was exhumed by the police on Thursday last week.

The friend has since turned state witness.

Mongwe was arrested a few hours after the body was discovered while Pilosa was arrested on Saturday.

Lekalakala was allegedly killed on December 30 2016 at his house in Ramotse section.

According to neighbours, Mongwe had recently married Lekalakala who she worked for as housekeeper following the death of Lekalakala’s wife in 2014.

Pilosa had reportedly lived with the couple since late last year, masquerading as Mongwe’s nephew.

Neighbours claimed Lekalakala and Pilosa had a fight the night before he disappeared. Concerned residents searched for him for two weeks before they apparently forced Mongwe to report him missing to the police on January 16.

According to police, the friend only took part in the concealment of the body. He claimed Pilosa called him on December 31 and asked him to help carry a load of rubbish to the bush.

He helped the couple to carry the body, that was pressed into a tub, to the bush in the night of December 31. They dug a hole but it was not deep enough. So they left the body there and returned the next night to dig deeper and finally buried it.

The friend claimed he only realised on the second night that they were actually burying a body.

Magistrate Mariah Maithufi postponed the case to February 16 for bail application.