Murder accused, Sandile Mantsoe, made his first appearance in the South Gauteng High Court on 15 September for pretrial proceedings. The court was packed to capacity with family, friends and members of the media.
Judge Seun Moshidi postponed the case to 15 March next year and Mantsoe was remanded in custody.
Read: UPDATE: Police investigation delays Sandile Mantsoe’s trial
Mantsoe, who is accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend Karabo Mokoena, faces charges of murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and defeating the ends of justice.
The State alleges that Mantsoe murdered Mokoena and dumped her body in a shallow grave in Lyndhurst before he set it alight on 26 April. Mantsoe, however, claims that Mokoena committed suicide.
Speaking after the court proceedings, the Mokoena family’s spokesperson, Tshepo Mokoena said the family welcomes the decision.
“The family is very comfortable that the case has been moved to a [higher] court. Let’s wait for 15 March 2018 and we will take it from there,” said Mokoena.
Asked how the deceased mother is coping with the court’s proceedings, Mokoena said it’s still painful, even now, but she is doing all she can to deal with the passing of her daughter.
“As you can see she is still depressed emotionally,” he said.
Details: www.npa.gov.za
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