The High Court has postponed, for the second time, the sentencing of Quthing serial killer, Mphatšoe Ntjelo, who was convicted of the murder of his three children and young brother allegedly for rituals a decade ago.
The judiciary public relations officer, ‘Mabohlokoa Mapikitla, attributed this week’spostponement to a pending social inquiry report from the ministry of social development.
No new date was set.
Initially, when the sentencing was postponed last month, the court had indicated that some lawyers who had shown interest to be part of the case were yet to file their papers.
Justice Molefi Makara had indicated that there were logistical challenges in completing a social inquiry report.
He had also noted that the court and parties involved in the case had found it wise and prudent that experts in social sciences, especially those deployed in the ministry of social development,assist with assessing Ntjelo’s personality.
In June this year, the court found Ntjelo guilty of killing his three children and younger brother in 2014 and 2015 respectively. His sentencing was set for Monday this week, but was once again postponed.
He was convicted of slaughtering his children then aged 10 years (name not given), Reatšeliseha(three years), and three-months old Nthona, and his younger brother Molefi, supposedly to acquire wealth through ritualistic means.
He is said to have buried their mutilated bodies in two of their huts. Ntjelo’s co-accused, his wife ‘Mamotšabi reportedly died in police custody in Quthing in 2015 shortly after their arrest.
