By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Agnes Setshwantsho – the woman accused of an insurance scam involving the murder of relatives – is going to spend Christmas and New Year’s Day behind bars.
On Wednesday, the Molopo Magistrates’ Court postponed the case against the accused to next year on 11 January.
Setshwantsho is facing a charge of murder, two of fraud and one of defeating the ends of justice.
During cross-examination, Sergeant Keshi Mabunda revealed that an investigator from one bank visited Setshwantsho at the holding prison cell without informing him.
Setshwantsho is only allowed visitors on Tuesdays while the said investigator of the bank, or its impersonator visited on Thursday. Mabunda said this highlights security concerns
“Last week on Thursday I was phoned by DS personnel in Mafikeng saying that there was a visitor who wants to see the accused. They wanted to check with me if I’m aware, I said no I’m not aware of that particular person. When the information was communicated to me, they said it’s an investigator from Nedbank.”
“It was also alleged that Setshwantsho is threatening the correctional officer who is expected to be called as a witness.”
“The witness the defense is referring to, I did not want to put this on record. The last time the court requested me to indicate the witness that is going to testify. There are threats against that witness, from the accused and we are going to testify on that. That is why the witness is not here today,” said Prosecutor Adv Ntendeleni Tshinyani.
The accused was arrested in November on suspicion that she murdered her relatives to benefit from insurance claims.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the North West, Henry Mamothame, says Setshwantsho will remain in police custody pending the outcome of the bail application.
“The state is expected to re-examine Sergeant Kheshi Mabunda, after the defence attorney completed its cross-examination.
“The state is also expected to call on its second witness from the correctional facility where the accused is detained. It emerged in court that this witness received death threats from the accused and an investigation is being conducted by the Hawks.
Police are conducting further investigations with the possibility of adding more charges against the accused and she will remain in custody until her next court appearance.