Staff Reporter
A man who is facing a charge of killing his wife with the help of his brother and a friend is expected to apply for bail in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court tomorrow.
Kopano Tjobo, 41, his brother Tshukudiso Tjobo, 34, and friend Thapelo Monnane, 39, have been charged with the murder of Sefora Tjobo, 41, early this month.
Police confirmed in a statement that the two brothers are Lesotho citizens.
Kopano claims that Sefora left the house on July 2, at about 8am.
He says he became suspicious of his wife’s whereabouts after he found a letter that stated that she was going to meet someone near Dinaweng.
He also told the police that the wife left her cellphone next to the letter.
Also according to Kopano, he did not see his wife for the next two days and on July 4, at about 1:44pm, he went to look for her at an open field next to Dinaweng.
He claims he found her body in a dam next to the Dewetsdorp road and then alerted the police.
A case of murder was then opened for investigation.
When questioned further, the husband indicated that he had spent some time at Monnane’s place.
But police say investigations have revealed that the murder was planned by the husband and his brother.
Police have also found out that the letter supposedly written by the deceased was actually drafted by the brother, Tshukudiso, so as to distort the investigation.
“It was later discovered that the deceased was lured out of the house by her husband making sure that neighbours saw her walking out alone so that her disappearance would not be linked to him.
“He then followed her to a place in Dinaweng where they were to meet so as to do a ritual.
“Once there the husband allegedly stabbed and strangled her whilst the brother was holding her.
“After dropping the body they went to the friend’s house who helped cover their tracks,” said the police statement.
The trio made their first court appearance on July 20.