Two men appear in court for alleged Klipgat murder

Yesterday (23 June), Arthus Khoza (18) and Mahlatsi Nkuna (20) appeared before the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates’ Court on a charge of murder. Their court appearance emanated from an incident where a burnt-out car with the charred body of a man in the boot was found in Klipgat, 40 km northwest of Pretoria.

According to the police, the car belonged to Sam Mbatha, a North-West University (NWU) staff member who works as a social media officer at the Mahikeng Campus. The police found the car at a soccer field in the Ikageng Section of Klipgat at 07:00 last Thursday (17 June), after a tip-off.

On Monday (21 June), initial investigations led the police to a house in Phutha Section in Klipgat. The house was searched and the team found bloodstains on the floor, the carpet and under and on a bed in one of the bedrooms. The police also found an axe on the roof of the house. It is suspected that it was used during the murder. After this gruesome discovery, investigations led to the tracing and arrest of the two suspects. The police are still tracking a third suspect.

Col Adéle Myburgh, the media spokesperson of the police in the North West, previously confirmed that the car belonged to Mbatha. The identity of the body could not be established since it was burnt beyond recognition. “We suspected that it could be the owner of the vehicle. He has been missing since the incident was reported, but only DNA testing can confirm this”, said Myburgh. Khoza and Nkuna will remain in custody until their next court appearance on Wednesday, 30 June.

Anyone with information that could assist the police is requested to contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Thabo Sekgororoana at 082 520 1588. Alternatively, contact your local police station anonymously, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or use the MySAPS app on your smartphone.