Karabo accused did not confess, says NPA spokesperson
NPA: SPOKESPERSON SAID HE ONLY ‘POINTED OUT SCENE’
Mantswe has been charged with murder and defeating the ends of justice.
The case against the man accused of killing and then burning the body of Karabo Mokoena was postponed in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Sandile Mantswe, 27, made his first appearance in court and is facing a murder charge after he reportedly confessed to killing Mokoena. According to reports, Mokoena was killed before her body was set alight and then buried in Bramley, north of Johannesburg.
Mokoena was reported missing on April 28 by her friends and family members and was reportedly found burnt and buried in a shallow grave by police the following day. The body though, has reportedly not yet been formally identified.
Mokoena’s family and friends were present and emotional during Mantswe’s court appearance yesterday, while members of the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters were also present in support of the family.
Earlier, Gauteng MEC for education Panyaza Lesufi was seen at the court to pass on his condolences to the Mokoena family.
The magistrate allowed the media to film proceedings and take pictures of Mantswe, stating that the matter was of public interest and because his pictures had already made the rounds on social media.
Mantswe is facing a count of premeditated murder which is a schedule six offence and can result in life imprisonment if he is found guilty, as well as a charge of defeating the ends of justice.
“We knew him, but not well. It was a seven-month-old relationship,” said Mokoena’s uncle, Tshepo Mokoena.
National Prosecution Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonodwane said despite reports, Mantswe had not confessed to the murder.
“There was no record of the accused confessing to the murder, only pointing out the scene,” Mjonodwane said.
The case was postponed to May 24.