By: Kaya 959 News
A North West pastor, accused of murdering and mutilating a woman earlier this year is due back in court next month.
Samuel John Noko, a pastor at the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) appeared in the Moretele Magistrate’s Court last week where the matter was postponed for further investigations.
NPA spokesperson in the North West Henry Mamothame said Noko will remain in police custody until his next appearance.
In May this year, Noko (34) allegedly poisoned Monni Monyeki (29) before killing and removing some of her body parts following an apparent ritual. He then allegedly buried her in a shallow grave near a river in Mathibestad in the North West.
Mamothame said Monyeki’s aunt informed the local police about her disappearance. She said Noko was the last person to have been seen with her niece.
“The two allegedly left together to perform some rituals and shortly afterwards, Noko was spotted pushing Monyeki in a wheelbarrow after she had consumed a substance that made her dizzy. She allegedly disappeared after this incident,” he says.
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A month later, police questioned Noko about the woman’s disappearance.
“He pointed police to a shallow grave where he buried Monyeki. Some of the woman’s body parts were missing,” Mamothame says.
Noko was initially charged for murder however a rape charge was later added after Monyeki’s 14-year-old relative laid a charge against the accused.
Mamothame said the rape incident allegedly took place when Monyeki went missing.
Meanwhile, a North West official was arrested for allegedly trading in rhino horn.
The man and an owner of a security company allegedly transported 17 rhino horns from the Northern Cape to the North West without the necessary documentation. They further allegedly traded in rhino horn and used permits to cover their tracks.
They are due to appear in the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court on Monday and police are investigating further.
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Image courtesy of Pexels/ @EKATERINA



