Central SA
Murder trial of Bloemfontein artist’s wife, co-accused postponed─── ZENANDE MPAME 10:50 Thu, 04 Sep 2025
Two suspects linked to the killing of a Bloemfontein artist will formally apply for bail on Friday (5/9) after new information came to light in the High Court in Bloemfontein.
The pre-trial conference will commence on Wednesday, 8 October, after it was postponed due to outstanding documents requested by the defence. The pre-trial was supposed to start on Wednesday (3/9) at the Bloemfontein High Court.
Nombulelo Pheko, 34, the deceased’s wife, and Motlatsi Ramosoeu, 39, have been charged with the murder of the Botshabelo artist Pesa Pheko. The duo is facing one count of murder and two counts of conspiracy to commit murder.
The case was moved from the Botshabelo Magistrate’s Court in July for a decision on a trial and to start the pre-trial conference.
“The murder trial of Pheko and Ramosoeu has been postponed to Friday for a bail application based on new facts,” said Adv. Allen Simpson, who appears for Peko and Ramosoeu. The new information will be revealed during the bail hearing.
“But some of it is about the fact that they have already been in custody for nine months, and that the investigation and its effects are still not complete.”
The charges against the accused are:
Count 1: Conspiracy to commit murder: Between March and August 2023, near Botshabelo, the accused intentionally conspired with an individual to procure the murder of Pesa Pheko and Sanna Pheko, his mother.
Count 2: Conspiracy to commit murder: In September 2023, near Fleurdal Mall, the accused conspired with another individual and others to aid in the murder of Pesa Pheko and Sanna Pheko.
Count 3: Murder: In July last year, in the district of Dealesville, the accused did unlawfully and intentionally kill Pesa Pheko, and the death of the deceased resulted from physical abuse and was premeditated.
Pesa Pheko, 37, was reported missing by his family in July last year. He was last seen leaving his home in L Section, Botshabelo, to travel to Bloemfontein by public transport for a hospital appointment.
Pheko’s DNA was confirmed from the burnt body of an unknown male discovered in July near the town of Dealesville in the western Free State. DNA extracted from the body matched a family member of Pheko’s.
