This as Thibeletsa’s alleged murderers, 21-year-old Masekate Mallela and 23-year-old Lonwabo Ntobela made their first appearance in courtroom 20 of the Free State-based Magistrate’s Court. The pair is accused of robbing, strangling and thereafter burning the 75-year-old woman’s body. Prosecutor Johan de Vries referred to the case being high profile and thereafter requested that the matter be postponed to January 28, for further bail information. Magistrate Vuyelwa Mahamba granted the request, postponing the matter. Many of Thibeletsa’s supporters were dressed in ANC regalia and were spotted in the gallery of the courtroom.

Court documents indicate that the duo was tracked and eventually pinned down by police in the Eastern Cape town of Aliwal North – where Ntobela is from - on Thursday, January 17,  following Thibeletsa’s disappearance. After being interrogated, the couple led police to the location of the deceased’s charred body in Kroonstad, over 200 kms outside the Free State capital.  Mallela and Ntobela are believed to have been the 75-year-old woman’s tenants. 

Locals have said that Thibeletsa was known to have lived alone in Rocklands for many years prior to the incident. Free State police spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo, explained to OFM News previously the elderly woman was reported missing on January 14. It is alleged that the suspects drove with her body in the car to Kroonstad where they disposed of it. Mbambo says police are still looking for Thibeletsa’s car. The accused are each facing murder and aggravated robbery charges. 

OFM News/Sazly Hartzenberg and Olebogeng Motse