Rustenburg – Two men were arrested in connection with murder related to initiation in Zeerust in the North West province.
The suspects 19-year-old Obakeng Segwabe and 21-year-old Olebogeng Mafora appeared before the Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing five charges of murder.
“Initially, the accused were arrested for the alleged murder of two people after human bones were found in a plastic (bag) in the bushes near Mosweu village,” North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said.
“Subsequent to further investigation and linkages to three decomposed bodies that were discovered between December 2023 and January 2024, and that the deceased were part of the boys that were at the initiation school, three additional charges of murder were added,”
The two were expected to again appear in court next week on Tuesday, (23 January 2024), for their bail application.
Brigadier Mokgwabone said investigations, including the identification of the bodies through DNAs, were underway.
He said another man, 19-year-old Koketso Mmutlane, was arrested for defeating the ends of justice.
“The accused appeared in court yesterday, (Monday),” said Brigadier Mokgwabone.
“According to information, he allegedly influenced Segwabe and Mafora to lie about the legality of the initiation school and its activities including the deaths.
“He is expected to appear before the same court (Lehurutshe) on Friday, (9 February 2024), after being released on warning.”
Segwabe and Mafora were arrested on Friday, at Ntsweletsoku village after a multidisciplinary team made a follow-up on two boys who were reported missing in Motswedi and Lehurutshe police stations in December 2023.
“During the course of the investigations, the police found what appeared to be human skeleton bones in plastic (bag) in the bushes near Mosweu village,” Brigadier Mokgwabone said.
“Further investigation into the matter led to the arrest of the accused who were apparently in charge of the initiation school where the boys allegedly died.”
