Alleged insurance killer won’t commit crime while out on bail, argue lawyers
The State argued that releasing Segomotsi Setshwatsho who is accused of killing her niece for an insurance payout would be risky, considering she had policies on other family members.
Segomotsi Setshwantsho, who is accused of killing a family member for an insurance payout, appeared in the Mmabatho Magistrates Court on 15 January 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Lawyers for the North West woman accused of killing her loved ones for insurance payout benefits have denied that she would commit any other crimes while out on bail.
Segomotsi Setshwatsho's legal representatives told the Mmabatho Magistrates Court their client is aware that she is under investigation and should be granted bail.
She's accused of murdering her niece for a R3 million insurance payout. She allegedly took out life insurance policies for two of her other nieces without their knowledge.
On Monday, the Mmabatho Magistrates Court heard that the matter before it is not Setshwantsho's first run-in with the law, as she faces another fraud charge in Setlagole, North West.
The State argued that based on the seriousness of the matter before the court and considering that she had life insurance policies on other members of her family, releasing her on bail would be a risk.
However, her lawyer, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, countered this view.
“They are suggesting that she will do that while there is a court order against her, while she is under the eagle eye of the investigator, while she knows that SAPS [South African Police Service] is investigating her.”
The court will need to mull over whether there are exceptional circumstances that warrant bail for Setshwantsho before handing down judgment on Friday.