By Staff Reporter
QWAQWA- Three men accused of killing five family members and allegedly injuring 11-month-old child have appeared before Phuthaditjhaba magistrate court on Monday and are expected to be back on April 19 for bail application.
This follows a reported murder of five family members at Marakong in the Eastern Free State where police launched a 72 hours investigation. Within stipulated time police made a breakthrough when they arrest Seliom Tsoeute, 20 On Wednesday.
Leponesa Tsoeute ,24 and Thabo Mguni,43 were arrested two day later on Friday .
The trio are also facing alleged murder, attempted murder, arson and defeating the ends of justice while the fourth accused Mothae Tsoeute, 41, is expected to appear on April 15.
![](https://theguard.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CRIME-PIC.jpeg)
The four allegedly attacked and murdered five family members on Sunday April 4, only an 11-month old baby survived the brutal killing of his siblings, but he too was allegedly hit with a knobkerrie but was rushed to a local hospital where he is being receiving medical attention.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Thandi Mbambo, the four bodies were found burnt while one was recovered with a gunshot wound.
“On April ,4, 2021, at about 03;30, police received a report of people who had been burnt inside the house. On arrival the body of a female Moliehi Thoabala ,38, was found lying outside the house with gun wound, another body of her husband Safolo Mofokeng , 36, was found burnt to death in a mud house.”
She said three more bodies were found in another house .
“In another house, bodies of Relebohile Lemeko, 48 and her daughter Masabata Lemeko 25 and son Tatolo Lemeko 22 were found burnt in a shack . Only Lemeko ‘s 11 months old grandson survived after he was allegedly hit by assailants with a knobkerrie on the nose and is receiving medical attention at a local hospital,” Mbabo said.
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