LIMPOPO – Two men on trial for the murder of 36-year-old, Precious Mohlale Magabane appeared in the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane earlier this week.
The accused, Fraz Cheema and Raza Ali, face charges related to murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating the ends of justice. Ali faces additional charges; the unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and contravention of section49(1)(a) read with section 1, 9-23 of Act 13 of 2002 of the Immigration Act.
Woman’s dismembered remains found along the Burgersfort road, Pakistani nationals arrested
Magabane, a Gr 3 teacher at Kabishi Primary School in Mashamothane, was reported missing on 23 December in 2018 and the two men were arrested in February 2019 after details of their alleged involvement in her disappearance emerged.
[WATCH] Crowd turns on police outside court where Precious Magagane’s murder suspects appear
Further investigation led to the discovery of some remains, believed to be that of the deceased. The dismembered remains were found disposed of at various locations along the Burgersfort – Lydenburg road. The remains were taken to the forensic department for DNA investigations where they were positively identified as that of Magabane.
Shortly after their arrest the duo appeared in the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court on charges of kidnapping, murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and possession of suspected stolen property. At the time they were remanded in custody.
In July 2019 the duo appeared in the Burgersfort Regional Court and after a scuffle between residents from Mahlakwane village and the police, the case was postponed to 9 September for formal bail application.
At the time, Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said that the police would ask the court to grant the duo bail only if they reveal the location of rest of the remains.
On Monday, 13 August the duo appeared in the Limpopo High Court and their case was postponed to Monday due to the fact that the private legal representatives of both accused were not at court.
NPA Regional Spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi- Dzhangi says the postponement was to afford the accused the time to contact their representatives and for the latter to appear in court for the determination of the commencement of their case.
In court it was revealed that the deceased was in a relationship with Cheema at the time. “When things started to go sour between them, Cheema enlisted the services of Ali to murder her. On 23 December 2018 they both went to the deceased’s home. An argument ensued between the deceased and Cheema during which both accused assaulted and stabbed Magabane with a knife.”
The accused then dismembered her body and placed the various parts in separate refuse bags which they disposed of in various areas around Burgersfort. “Her head and arms were buried in a shallow grave,” Malabi- Dzhangi added.
