The suspect in the puzzling killing of a Phuthaditjhaba-based teacher Booi Azola Mkhondo (30) is remanded in custody as part of the police probing to try put the puzzle pieces together to bring the guilty party to book.
Stefan Tsoeu (21) from Fouriesburg in the Free State briefly appeared in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 10 July.
He is facing a charge of murder following his arrest after handing himself over to the police, days after recovery of the deceased body.
WO Mmako Mophiring, spokesperson for the police in the Thabo Mofutsanyana region, said the matter was adjourned to 17 July for bail application.
Tsoue’s arrest and recovery of the victim’s Polo are believed to key clues in the probing into Mkhondo’s murder and the motive thereof. The victim’s murder was first believed to have been related to hijacking. Mophiring said Tsoeu was the only prime suspect.
The police reported the victim’s car was locked and not tampered with where it was found abandoned elsewhere in Vereeniging, which is part of an area known as the Vaal Triangle in Gauteng.
Mophiring had said blood stains were visible inside the vehicle, and prompted the forensic analysis as part of the investigation.
Mokhondo’s body was found on Friday, 5 July, disposed of alongside the R711-road between Clarens and Golden Gate.
His body reportedly had multiple stab wounds and his clothes also had dried blood stains. Mophiring said additional information gathered, the deceased was seen with his friends on Thursday, 4 July.
“His friends went to the Phuthaditjhaba police station to report him as a missing person on Saturday, 6 July. Subsequent to that, the suspect handed himself over the Fouriesburg police on Sunday,” said Mophiring.
The slain teacher worked at the Makabelane Technical School in Phuthaditjhaba, Qwaqwa.
