Double murder suspects remanded in custody

Polokwane/Apel

Two suspects, Kgahlisho Ratsoma (28) and his co-accused, Katlego Ratsoma (29), were remanded in custody after their appearance at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday 22 January 2024. The duo is linked with the brutal murders of a 56-year-old woman, Magdeline Motlanthe and her 31-year-old son Nkoporo Joseph Motlanthe from Ivypark in Polokwane.

Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police Spokesperson, said the victims were discovered in separate locations along Roedtan-Zebediela Road in Waterberg and Apel in Sekhukhune Districts on 3 and 4 January 2024.

“Their dismembered bodies were found buried in shallow graves. In response to these heinous crimes, a Task Team comprising of Murder and Robbery Unit, Westenburg and Lebowakgomo Detectives, had been established to ensure justice is served,” he said.

Ledwaba added that on Saturday 20 January 2024, the police received information that Kgahlisho had turned himself in at Boksburg SAPS in Gauteng Province and a cellphone belonging to one of the victims was also recovered in his possession.

“Further investigations, conducted on Sunday 21 January 2024, led the police to Mohlaletsi Village in the Apel area, where an unlicensed firearm believed to have been used in the commission of the crime was found. The firearm was discovered at a local tuck shop owned by a foreign national,” explained Ledwaba.

He said another suspect who was arrested at Mohlaletsi appeared before the Sekhukhune Magistrate’s Court on Monday 22 January 2024 and his case was postponed to Tuesday 30 January 2024, for a bail application and further police investigations.

“The operation concluded in waterfalls, under the Mopani District, where the remaining body parts of the deceased were located inside a black bucket. With these recent arrests, the total number of suspects in custody now amounts to four. The other individual was detained on 13 January 2024,” he said.

Ledwaba said Kgahlisho Ratsoma’s case was adjourned to Tuesday 23 January 2024 for further investigation, with the suspect being remanded in police custody and additionally, his accomplice, Katlego Ratsoma, will also be brought before court on the same date, facing charges of house robbery, kidnapping and murder.

Major General Jan Scheepers, Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Limpopo, strongly condemned these atrocious acts. “We vehemently denounce the violence committed against the most vulnerable members of our society. In our pursuit of justice, our dedicated teams will relentlessly continue their efforts to ensure safety and security for all,” he said.