The murder case of the wellknown social media personality, Sam Mbatha (24) was postponed in the Garankuwa Magistrates’ Court as the state is waiting for the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) authorisation to transfer the case to the High Court of South Africa due to the serious nature of the case.

The four accused, Arthur Khoza (19), Thato Masetla (22), Junior Modise (21) and Mahlatsi Nkuna (21), were all arrested following an intensive investigation by the police. Meanwhile, Junior Modise is still at large and a warrant for his arrest was issued and bail revoked.

Mbatha’s body was found in his burnt-out car in Klipgat near Brits in June 2021. “Police investigations led them to a house in Klipgat. The house was searched and they found bloodstains on the floor, under and on top of a bed as well on the carpet. Furthermore, an axe suspected to have been used during the commission of this crime was found on top of the roof of the house. DNA samples positively identified Sam Mbatha, as the deceased person in January 2022,” said Henry Mamothame, National Prosecuting Authority (NPS) spokesperson.

In the meantime a warrant of arrest has been issued for Modise, one of the suspects who is out on bail and did not show up for a court appearance.

ALSO READ: DNA confirms burnt body is that of well-known NWU man

Another suspect, Masetlha, abandoned his bail application, while Khoza and Nkuna are still out on R500 each. Their bail conditions are that they must report at the Klipgat Police Station every Wednesday and Sunday, and they are also barred from interfering with the state’s witnesses.