Cape Town — The three men accused of killing 24-year-old LGBTIA activist, Sam Mbatha have been found guilty on all charges linked to his death when they appeared in the North West High Court.
Arthur Khoza (19), Mahlatsi Nkuna (21) and Thato Mosetla (22) faced charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, murder, damage to property and defeating the ends of justice. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), spokesperson Henry Mamothame said judge Frances Reid found them all guilty, IOL reported.
“The state, through Advocate Nangamso Goloda, closed its case after leading evidence through five witnesses, who testified on incidents leading to Mbatha’s death.” Momothame said.
Accused Number 1: Arthur Khoza (19), Number 2: Mahlatsi Nkuna (21), and Number 3: Thato Mosetla (22) were found guilty of the following charges: 1. Robbery with aggravating circumstances 2. Kidnapping 3. Murder 4. Malicious damage to property 5. Defeating the ends of justice
— Sam Junior Mbatha Foundation (@SamJuniorMbath1) March 26, 2024
Mbatha’s body was found inside a burnt Hyundai i20 at a soccer field in Ikageng Section on 10 January 2021. He was identified through DNA testing. Mamothame said the trio was arrested on June 21 2021, at a house in the Phutha section near Klipgat.
“Here, police found bloodstains on the floor, under and on top of a bed, as well as on a carpet. Furthermore, an axe suspected to have been used during the commission of this crime was found on top of the roof of the house.” he said.
According to The Citizen, The Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the judgment and expressed hope for a suitable sentence to be imposed against the trio when the matter appears in court in July.
The case has ben postponed to 25 June 2024 for further testing.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
