Andile Sinyoko (42), the boyfriend of Disebo Mosupa, and Sinyoko’s friend Lawrence Ncanca (37) appeared in the same court on Monday (8/9) for legal representation. The case was postponed, and they were remanded in custody.

Sinyoko was arrested after forensic investigators exhumed Mosupa’s body at a Welkom cemetery in July last year. He is facing charges of murder and theft after the disappearance of Mosupa, who was an acting youth development officer at the municipality. Ncanca is facing charges of theft and murder.

“The accused in the murder case of Disebo Mosupa has appeared in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court, where the matter was postponed,” said Free State NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane.

“The suspects were remanded in custody; the matter was previously postponed for the appointment of an attorney.”

Mosupa was last seen on Friday, 12 July last year. A thorough search was conducted by her colleagues, the police, her family, and the community. She was reported missing by her father after he visited her home and found the doors open and the house ransacked.

During the release of the crime statistics for the fourth quarter, it was revealed there was a decrease in murder, assault, and aggravated robbery in the province. Nationally, the province contributes a 6.4% increase in contact crimes, which are crimes against a person.

The statistics reveal arguments, misunderstandings, road rage, and provocation were the biggest causes of murders in the Free State, with 68 such incidents reported from January to March. About 79 murder incidents were reported in public places.

The most frequently used instruments in attempted murder in the province are firearms, knives, sharp instruments, bottles, blunt instruments, and body parts, and the least used are vehicles.

“When we look at the number of our murders, they are reducing, but still 214 murders for a quarter is just too much,” said Free State provincial commissioner Lt. Gen. Baile Motswenyane. 

“So, as the province, we will continue under Operation Shanela to make sure that we are going to fight crime and ensure that communities feel safe.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg