Six murder suspects appeared at the Seloshesa magistrate’s court in Thaba Nchu in the Free State on Friday in connection with the gruesome Sepone River murders.
The suspects, who cannot be named due to the sensitivity of the investigation, were arrested after police found a missing head belonging to one of the murdered persons near the stream.
Four charges of murder
They are facing four charges of murder, robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and possession of suspected stolen goods.
Motantsi Makhele, Free State police spokesperson, confirmed to Sunday World that the suspects were all remanded in custody. He said they would appear in court on February 23 for a formal bail application.
Missing head
“The discovery came after four bodies were found near Sepone River in Botshabelo, east of Bloemfontein. One of the victims’ head was missing. All four bodies, two females and two males, had multiple stab wounds. They were all found not far from each other inside the stream. Located in a dense and thick vegetation running on the other side of N8 [freeway] adjacent to the railway line,” said Motantsi.
The police previously stated that Lebohang Julia Khutsoane was found decapitated with her hands tied. This after she was reported missing by her family. They grew worried when the 52-year-old did not return from a trip to the mall.
Second body to be found
This was the second body to be found. Police had rushed to the area following a tip-off that a lifeless man’s body was floating on the water.
Two more bodies were discovered in a deep-water search by police divers. The decomposed body of a female was floating on the same river. It was about 50 metres from where the first body was discovered. The deceased also had her hands tied to plastic bags with stones.
Two more bodies found by police divers
As suspicions were raised, police continued the search. They discovered the body of a 43-year-old male with stab wounds. His hands were also tied with a rope.
The police highlighted that the bodies shared similarities, such as multiple stab wounds and were tied with plastic, sand, or stones. The bodies were found in different locations, but not far from each other along the stream.
Provincial police commissioner, Baile Motswenyane said: “This will at least bring closure to one of the families. Well done to this team of brilliant investigators for the job well done.”
