Trio found guilty of 24-year-old activist’s murder

Three suspects are to be sentenced after being found guilty in all charges relating to the death of a local LGBTGT+ activist.

Arthur Khoza (19), Mahlatsi Nkuna (21) and Thato Mosetla (22) appeared in the Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court north of Pretoria on Tuesday, March 26.

The trio are facing murder charges, among others, relating to the killing of 24-year-old Sam Mbatha.

The matter was postponed to July 25 for sentencing.

Rekord recently reported that the suspects were arrested following an intensive investigation by the police, linking them to the murder of Mbatha.

North West National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the three are facing charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, murder, malicious damage to property and defeating the ends of justice.

Mbatha’s body was found inside a burnt Hyundai i20 at a soccer field in Ikageng Section in Klipgat in January 2021.

“Police found blood stains on the floor, under and on top of a bed, as well as on the carpet of the suspects’ house,” he said.

“An axe suspected to have been used during the commission of the murder was found on top of the roof of the house.”

Mamothame said DNA samples positively identified Mbatha as the deceased person.

Mosetla was denied bail on July 7, 2022, after he initially abandoned it after his arrest. Meanwhile, Khoza and Nkuna are out on R500 bail each.

“The state, through Advocate Nangamso Goloda, closed its case after leading evidence through five witnesses, who testified on incidents leading to Mbatha’s death,” said Mamothame.

ALSO READ: Judgment for brutal murder of LGBTQI+ activist expected in March

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram