Mantsoe ‘intentionally burnt body’; denied bail
SANDILE Mantsoe, 27, accused of murdering his girlfriend of seven months, Karabo Mokoena, was denied bail by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Magistrate Carlos Labuschagne read into the record that Mantsoe was facing charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice, while handing down his bail judgment.
Earlier, Labuschagne said Mantsoe had wrongfully and intentionally burnt the body of Mokoena, cleaned the crime scene and knew his actions would result in her body being burnt beyond recognition.
“He is married but separated from his wife and has three children; the court accepts that he is not the primary caregiver of his children,” Labuschagne said. He read that the merits of the case, according to Mantsoe, were that Mokoena had asked him to pick her up and they proceeded to his apartment in Sandton.
He left to meet someone for business and on his return he found Mokoena lying motionless on the carpet.
He checked her pulse and there was no sign of life. He panicked and knew that he would be accused of killing her because he was depicted as an abuser.
He went in and out of the apartment before putting her body in a dustbin and burning her with a tyre and petrol.
According to Mantsoe, she had previously taken pills and was saved by himself and a security guard, which was why he believed she had committed suicide. Labuschagne read that investigations showed that Mokoena was not suicidal and was abused by Mantsoe.
“He told police that he killed her for a blood ritual… the purpose of the ritual was to increase their bond and success of his business, therefore had to sacrifice her to break the jinx.”
The matter was adjourned to July 28. –ANA