A domestic dispute has escalated into a murder charge, with police swooping on Friday to apprehend two sisters and a son after postmortem results revealed their neighbour did not die of natural causes as originally thought.
Paul Matonko was found dead at his home in Ramotswa’s Siga ward on Sunday 9 November, after friends become worried when he did not answer the door.
Peering through the window, they spotted him lying down in an unusual, awkward position. Their fears growing, they knocked even louder but Matonko did not stir – he couldn’t, he was dead!
The autopsy, released five days later, showed he was killed by blunt force trauma to the head, injuries consistent with a fight.
The finger of suspicion then led the cops to 28-year-old Thatayaone Nokane, his mother, Virginia Nokane, 48, and her older sister, Sylvia Moemi, 50, after it was revealed the trio fought with Matonko a day before his death.
This bloody row has become the cornerstone of the state’s case.
Charged with murder, the three family members, who all reside in Goo Tshielo ward, were arraigned before Extension II Magistrates Court this week, where the prosecutor secured their remand.
He warned tempers in the community were still dangerously high, noting it would be putting the suspects at risk if they were released so soon after the murder.
Furthermore, the state argued that letting the trio go free could jeopardise the entire investigation, as they might be tempted to tamper with the crime scene and even intimidate possible witnesses.
Magistrate Kgomotso Majuta agreed with the state’s assessment, denying bail.
The three accused will remain locked-up in custody until their next court appearance, set for 8 December.
