THE man accused of killing his baby mama appeared before the Protea Magistrates Court.
The accused, Lerato Sefekedi (45), appeared in court on Monday, 15 April. He faces two counts of arson and murder.
When he appeared in court, he asked for legal representation. He also informed the court that he has no previous convictions.
The case was postponed to Friday, 19 April to set a date for bail.
Sefekedi allegedly stabbed his girlfriend Sandra Mabaso, who was with her son Oratile Mabaso (6), when the suspect set fire to Sandra's bedroom in Protea Glen Ext 27 in August 2022. Oratile succumbed to his injuries and died in hospital.
He was arrested in Thembisa on Friday, 12 April 2024.
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Adelaide Mabaso, the deceased's sister, told Daily Sun she was grateful that the accused had been arrested after almost two years.
She, however, said the arrest has opened up wounds they thought they had overcome.
"Seeing him today has brought back the pain. Now everything feels new, like my sister was murdered yesterday. I hope he can rot in prison, stay there and never be seen outside again. If it were possible, I would say he can be handed over to us so we can take care of him ourselves. He will be in prison and benefit from our tax money. I don’t think that's good," she said.
She added that the murder of her sister has cost the family a lot.
"Our mum is not coping at all. We wish he would never get bail. I wish he would not even come to court, I wish he would be convicted from the start. He has hurt us. He took two lives at once. The house was burnt down."
NPA spokeswoman Phindi Mjonondwane said the accused has been on the run since August 2022.
"He has been remanded in custody until 19 April 20224. For investigations in connection with his bail application," she said.
