Central SA
Bail application of Bloemfontein artist’s wife, co-accused postponed─── ZENANDE MPAME 12:10 Mon, 08 Sep 2025
The bail application of the two suspects linked to the killing of a Bloemfontein artist will continue on Friday, 26 September, for presenting outstanding particulars in the High Court in Bloemfontein.
The pre-trial conference will commence on the same day to ensure that the case is ready for trial. The pre-trial was postponed due to outstanding documents requested by the defence.
Nombulelo Pheko, 34, and Motlatsi Ramosoeu, 39, appeared in the High Court on Friday (5/9) and were remanded in custody awaiting postponement. They are charged with the murder of 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.
Pesa Pheko. Photo: Facebook
“The matter of Motlatsi Ramosoeu and Nombulelo Pheko has been postponed to 26 September for the state to supply the defence with further particulars, as well as the bail application to proceed,” said Adv. Allen Simpson, who represents Pheko and Ramosoeu.
“The pre-trial has also been moved to the same date, to ensure that the case is trial-ready.”
Pesa, 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.
The charges against the accused, as formulated on the charge sheet, are :
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
