Ntimba murder case: Screenshots of murdered Kempton Park runner found on accused’s phone

A link to the supposed ‘Kempton Park serial killings’ came to light as the bail applications of the two women accused of murdering Jubulile Ntimba (33) continued in Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on November 10. The state was granted permission to reopen its case and introduce additional DNA evidence.

The prosecutor said police found screenshots of the body of murdered Kempton Park runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo on the cellphone of one of the accused.

The state inferred that the two accused, while planning the murder, wanted Ntimba’s body to bear similarities to the way Moselakgomo was found.

Ntimba was found wearing only a T-shirt and panty.

Fortunate Masilela (31) and Tsakane Nester Msithini (38) are accused of her premeditated murder.

Ntimba’s body was found in an open veld near a roadside in Villa Liza Ext 4 on the morning of September 17.

Moselakgomo went missing on September 9 after an afternoon jog in Rhodesfield. Her body was found on September 12. Judgment on the bail applications is set for November 17.

Defence challenges the state’s case

Before the additional evidence was introduced, defence advocate Samkele Kuzani, representing both accused, argued that they had demonstrated exceptional circumstances warranting their release on bail.

He told the court that Masilela has five children, is employed as a field service technician, has no previous convictions or pending criminal cases, and has a permanent residential address and strong family ties.

Regarding Msithini, Kuzani said she has two children, is unemployed, has no previous convictions or pending cases, and has a verified residential address.

The defence disputed the investigating officer’s concerns that the applicants could interfere with witnesses, evade trial or endanger other people if released.

Kuzani questioned the suggestion that Masilela posed a flight risk, arguing that she had no intention of killing her husband, who was assisting with her legal expenses, and that she had family responsibilities.

He also challenged the state’s reliance on the alleged confession by the first applicant and admissions attributed to the second applicant, arguing that these would have to be properly tested during the trial.

The defence further questioned the alleged motive behind the killing, saying the investigation had initially pointed to a possible love triangle before life insurance policies emerged as another suspected motive.

Prosecutor Sipho Kutwana strongly opposed bail, arguing that the seriousness of the charges, the strength of the state’s case and the potential risks associated with the applicants’ release weighed against granting bail.

He referred to evidence presented by Dawn Park SAPS investigating officer Sergeant Prince Mbonambi.

This included WhatsApp communications between the applicants, witness accounts placing them in the deceased’s company before her death, and cellphone tower information placing them in the vicinity of the crime scene.

He added that investigators had found screenshots of the body of the late Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo on one of the accused’s cellphones.

The court also heard that investigators had recovered a bloodstained jersey and a pair of flip-flops from a rubbish bin at Masilela’s residence.

The state further alleged that the deceased was linked to several life and funeral policies, with Masilela, Msithini and Masilela’s husband among the beneficiaries of five policies identified during the investigation.

Kutwana argued that the alleged financial motive, together with the other evidence, supported the state’s case that the murder was premeditated.

He also raised concerns about the safety of witnesses, submitting that some had close associations with the applicants and could potentially be intimidated or influenced.

Addressing the impact of the case, Kutwana said Ntimba’s killing had contributed to growing public concern about violence against women in the City of Ekurhuleni, with her death being counted as the ninth.

He argued that releasing the applicants could undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system, particularly given the seriousness and circumstances of the alleged offence.

After both sides had concluded their initial arguments, Kutwana sought permission to reopen the state’s case to introduce additional information.

Kuzani opposed the application, arguing that the state had sufficient time to present evidence before closing its case and that introducing further evidence placed his clients at a disadvantage, particularly because the defence had already presented its closing arguments.

The magistrate, however, granted the state permission to reopen its case, allowing Sergeant Mbonambi to return to the witness stand.

He testified that DNA analysis had established a match between blood found in a silver BMW linked to Masilela and her husband and the deceased.

He also testified that forensic results from a jacket seized from one of the applicants matched the deceased’s DNA.

Kuzani argued that although the forensic results allegedly confirmed the presence of the deceased’s blood, they did not establish who had caused her death.

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Zamantolo Fakude 3 minutes read Facebook X LinkedIn Tumblr Pinterest WhatsApp Telegram Share via Email Print Support local journalism Add The Citizen as a preferred source to see more from Boksburg Advertiser in Google News and Top Stories.