‘Why kill Bonolo?’ – alleged victim’s husband has questions for Setshwantsho

On Friday, Setshwantsho appeared for her formal bail application in a packed Molopo Magistrates Court where she faces charges of murder, two counts of fraud, and defeating the ends of justice. 

It’s alleged Bonolo Modiseemang died in August last year, shortly after consuming a sandwich she had been given by Setshwantsho – who is her aunt. 

Modiseemang says his wife began vomiting and complained of stomach cramps. 

The 30-year-old mother of two died that same day. 

“When she became sick, she told me that she had eaten a sandwich from her aunt and that’s when I called her parents on the phone and called on the neighbour for help.  

“She came and asked Bonolo what was wrong, Bonolo repeated that she had eaten a sandwich that she was given by her aunt,” a visibly emotionally distressed Modiseemang recalls.   

It’s alleged Setshwantsho fraudulently claimed a multi-million rand pay-out against the life cover she had registered in her niece’s name, sparking suspicions in the family.

READ: Woman accused of killing family for life insurance appears in NW court 

Modiseemang says it’s clear Setshwantsho was motivated by greed and the alleged insurance monies.   

“I just want her to tell the truth, and I want to ask her why she killed Bonolo? Why kill Bonolo because Bonolo didn’t owe her a cent. I want her to explain to me why?”  

STRONG CASE   

Giving reasons for why it would be opposing bail, the state said Setshwantsho had been evading arrest.  

The accused was nabbed in Centurion last Thursday after she was lured to collect insurance money, as part of the probe led by the super-sleuth Keshi Mabunda who was working with an insurance company. 

Dressed in jeans and an orange t-shirt, Setshwantso frowned and gave a look of confusion when State Prosecutor Ntendeleni Tshinyani told the court that she was a flight risk and that the state was confident it had a strong case against her. 

Speaking to media outside court, North West National Prosecuting  Authority (NPA) spokesperson Henry Mamothame said after the deceased’s body was exhumed, preliminary tests revealed there was foul play.  

“We are at this stage waiting for the final report to [enable us] to conclusively say that report is what we can use in a court of law.” 

At the same time, Setshwantsho’s lawyer Nhlanhla Mahlangu accused the state of senstionalising its case against his client.  

“They claim that she has been avoiding capture, and that’s not true. They are just trying to make up a story so the sensationality of this case should remain, and it’s newsworthiness.”  

Mahlangu said his client maintains her innocence, and that whether the state has a solid case against remains to be seen.  

“In so far as her guilt or otherwise, that is for the trial court. The state will come on record and say they have a strong case  - but a strong case is only strong until it’s been tested in a trial court.  

 “Since we have not tested that evidence in a trial court, I don’t know where they come up with the conclusion that their case is strong.”   

The matter was postponed to 6 December for further bail hearing, when Mabunda is expected to take the stand.  

Setshwantsho remains in police custody. 

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