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The accused in court for his mother’s murder.
WARNING: This story contains graphic details of violence.
A 40-year-old man has appeared in the Seshego Magistrates Court, in Limpopo, in connection with the murder of his 87-year-old mother. The incident took place at Sebora village, Ga-Mashashane outside Polokwane in Limpopo.
The woman was hacked to death in her house and her body was dismembered.
The gruesome discovery was made when police responded to a missing person’s complaint.
The Seshego Magistrates court was filled to capacity when 40-year-old Lesiba Ledwaba made his first appearance, accused of killing his 87-year-old mother, Raesibe Ledwaba and dismembering her body parts.
Her dismembered body was found inside plastic buckets at their home at Sebora village.
The deceased was reported missing to the police by a concerned neighbour who had not seen her for over two days.
Upon arriving at the scene, police were met with a horrific sight.
Several items allegedly used in the commission of the crime were also recovered.
The deceased’s family say they are still reeling in shock. The victim’s niece, Ramokone Mothapo is pleading for the accused to be sentenced to life imprisonment.
Mothapo alleges the accused had been abusive to the deceased, but she was reluctant to press charges against her own son.
“We are still reeling in shock from the gruesome murder of my maternal aunt, particularly the brutal dismemberment of her body and the placement of her remains in buckets. We have more questions than answers regarding the circumstances surrounding the crime, whether the perpetrator was under the influence of something. We are calling for the accused to be denied bail and wish for him to spend the rest of his life in prison. We hope that this might bring some solace to our grieving hearts. We are currently at a loss for how to proceed with funeral arrangements,” says Mothapo.
The community of Ga-Mashashane has also expressed shock at the killing,
“We are deeply saddened by what happened to the elderly woman. The events that unfolded in that family are horrific. This incident has left the entire community in shock. We are struggling to sleep at night. The accused appeared to be a harmless individual while growing up, and we’re stunned by this horrific murder, which has caught us completely off guard,” says one of the community members.
Magistrate Fumanekile Makamu postponed the case to next Wednesday for further police investigation and formal bail application.
“Having consideration to the submission made by your legal representative and with agreement with the state, the matter shall be postponed to July 9 for the purposes of your formal bail application. You are to remain in custody until then,” said Makamu.
Additional charges are expected to be brought against Ledwaba when he appears in court next week.
[GRAPHIC CONTENT] Limpopo man in court for his mother’s alleged murder
