State to oppose bail for woman accused linked to insurance claim murders

The state says it will oppose bail for 49-year-old Agnes Setshwantsho, who is accused of orchestrating the deaths of her relatives for insurance payouts.

Setshwantsho was arrested on Thursday and made her first appearance at the Molopo Magistrate’s Court  today.

She has been charged with murder, fraud and defeating the ends of justice.

The 49-year-old was arrested in Centurion after a two-month intelligence operation, led by the SAPS. Sergeant Keshi Mabunda, the police officer who put the notorious Rosemary Ndlovu behind bars, was part of the team.

Setswantsho’s relatives had tipped-off the police after she allegedly took out R1 million insurance pay out on behalf of a family member, prior to her murder.

The 49-year-old is also suspected of having killed her husband, son and two daughters. The four died in 2005, 2015, 2016 and 2023, respectively.

NPA regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, says police are conducting further investigations, with the possibility of adding more charges against the accused.

“Through analysis and collection of evidence including the exhumation of a body, the team was able to link its latest suspect to the team’s first focus of the case.

According to the police report, the murder that was initially ruled a “natural death” happened in Mmabatho, in the North West, where a female relative died under mysterious circumstances in March 2023. Investigations have revealed that the suspect fraudulently took out insurance on behalf of her relative before her murder.”

Setswantsho has been remanded in custody and is due back in court next Friday for a formal bail application.