East Rand: Alleged killer of 81-year-old man nabbed after almost three years

Just short of three years, the suspected killer of a Bredell man will finally be brought to book, Kempton Express reports.

Gift Monnawapula Motsumi (37) was arrested on October 10 by a Kempton Park SAPS detective after his DNA, found on a rape case in North West, was linked to the murder of Hector Leite (81) in Bredell on January 22, 2017.

Motsumi appeared in Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on November 6 for a formal bail application. He faces charges of house robbery and murder.

According to Kempton Park SAPS spokesperson Sgt Dipuo Ditshego, Leite was home alone on the day of his death as his wife had gone to church.

“When she returned she found her husband on the couch, apparently sleeping. She continued with her daily chores but noticed her husband did not wake up.”

Ditshego said the wife and son called a security company to check what could be wrong with Leite.

“On arrival, the security company found he was not moving and called the police and paramedics. He was certified dead.

“When they checked the house they realised jewellery and old coins were taken.”

The DNA sample that linked the murder case to the rape case in North West was obtained from Leite’s shorts.

In court, Motsumi argued he should get bail as he has four children, aged 12, nine, seven and four.

One resides with him in the house his father had left him in Soweto, while his other three children live with their mothers.

He said the only way his DNA could have been transferred to Leite’s body was because he might have done a peace job for the victim. This was right after he stated he was a self-employed carpenter who had never visited Kempton Park before his arrest.

Bail was denied and he will again appear in court on November 14.