Precious Magabane murder trial postponed to June

POLOKWANE – The two Pakistani nationals accused of murdering Precious Magabane will next appear in the Limpopo High Court: Polokwane Division on June 27.

Ashan Fraz Cheema (30) and Raza Ali (26) appeared before the court on Monday and face charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, defeating the course of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and illegal immigration.

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National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the trial was postponed in order for Cheema to secure a defence lawyer.

“The accused Ashan Fraz Cheema was not represented as his previous defence has withdrawn,” she said.

Magabane, a Gr 3 teacher at Kabishi Primary School in Mashamothane, was reported missing on December 23, 2018 and the two men were arrested in February 2019 after details of their alleged involvement in her disappearance emerged.

Malabi-Dzhangi explained that Magabane and Cheema were in a relationship at the time of her murder.

“On December 23, 2018, both the accused went to the deceased’s homestead before an argument ensued between Magabane and Cheema. Both the accused assaulted the deceased and killed her with a knife,” her statement read.

Malabi-Dzhangi added that the accused dismembered Magabane’s body and placed her body parts in several refuse bags. “They placed the refuse bags in the boot of a vehicle, drove around and disposed the bags at different places. ome of the body parts were buried in a shallow grave.”

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Malabi-Dzhangi said Ali was found in possession of an automatic pistol and ammunition and that Magabane’s cellphone was also robbed at the time of her murder.