Mother, daughter accused of murder
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Thursday June 26, 2025 16:00
According to the charge sheet, Ruth and Onalenna are alleged to have murdered Elicar early June at Makobo village. The reports allege that Elicar was found by her neighbour on June 9 after noticing that goats were wandering around the deceased's yard. During the court appearance, the state prosecutor Moatlhodi Macheng said that the matter is fresh, and investigations are still in their initial stages. He highlighted the familial relationship between the accused persons and the victim. He emphasised that the matter is not ordinary due to the mother-daughter dynamic between Ruth and Onalenna and their relation to the deceased.
Macheng informed the court that the police made progress in the case yesterday, leading to the arrest of the mother-daughter pair. He therefore begged the court to not grant bail to both the accused persons. When asked if they had anything to say, Ruth wanted to be referred to a certain Dr Shube at the Magapatona clinic for medicine purposes. Additionally, she applied for bail because she was caring for her unwell grandchild. She stated that she was in financial distress and asked the state to help her with legal representation. For her side, Onalenna asked for bail, as she takes care of her unwell child. She also requested to be granted an opportunity to go and collect clothes for her child because the ones she has are not enough.
But Magistrate Thapelo Buang ordered the accused to be remanded in custody. He said the officials from prisons will assist the accused person with their needs. Meanwhile, the accused will be back in court on July 15 for their bail application hearing.