Mother and son stand trial for murder of their husband

A 39-year-old woman and her 19-year-old son have been arrested for allegedly murdering her husband and then attempting to cover up the crime by claiming he was killed during a robbery at their home in Maubane village, near Makapanstad in the northwest.

North West Police spokesperson Colonel Amanda Funani confirmed on Monday 2 September the arrest of Refiloe Malekoa and her son Goitsimang Madibela on suspicion of murder following the death of 63-year-old Lucas Molekoa.

According to Funani, the incident occurred on Sunday, September 1, when Molekoa and his stepson Goitsimang were watching football on television. An argument reportedly broke out between the two, which led to a physical altercation. Refiloe tried to intervene but was unable to separate the two. When Refiloe realized that her husband was overpowering her son, she allegedly hit Molekoa on the head with an object, causing him to collapse.

Funani added that the mother and son subsequently strangled Molekoa with a rope and then rushed outside to inform their neighbours, claiming that the family had been the victims of a robbery. Police were called to the scene and initially took the two suspects in for questioning. After further investigation, they were charged with Molekoa's murder.

The defendants appeared before the Moretele Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, September 4, to make a bail application, but the application was postponed. They remain in custody with the bail hearing scheduled to continue on Friday, September 6.