THE family of slain socialite, Sam Mbatha, who was brutally murdered in 2021, said they are disappointed with the postponement of his murder case by the High Court of South Africa sitting in the Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court on Monday, 4 March.
Sam's mum, Constance said she has been waiting for three years for the handing down of the sentence and the postponement broke her heart.
She said all she wants to know are her son's last words when he was begging for mercy the day he was brutally murdered.
"The pain cuts too deep and three years later, I'm still not coping. I keep imagining my son begging for mercy from his killers. We were devastated when we heard that the case has been postponed," she said.
Sam, who was part of the LGBTQ community, was found dead in the boot of a burnt Hyundai i20 at a soccer field in Ikageng Section, Klipgat in 2021 after police investigations led them to a house in Phutha Section, Klipgat on 21 June 2021. The house was searched and bloodstains were found on the floor, under and on top of a bed as well as on the carpet.
Furthermore, an axe suspected to have been used during the commission of this crime was found on top of the roof of the house and DNA samples positively identified Sam as the deceased person.
His uncle, Cornelius said the judge had five months to finalise the matter and he doesn't understand why the case had to be delayed again.
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"We came here this morning hoping to find closure, but we now have to come back on Thursday, 7 March. It's been difficult for the whole family. We just want justice for Sam. We are grateful for the support that we've been receiving from various organisations in this difficult journey," he said.
He said the last images when they identified Sam's body still play in his mind.
"We could only see his skeleton, that's why DNA tests had to be conducted. We were expecting much from Sam because he was the kind of a person who would change lives in his family. His mum is not coping and has a chronic illness. What hurts the most is that she never received any counselling, that's why she breaks down time and again," he said.
Sam's brother-in-law, Kgomotso Sepeng said he was also disappointed because they were hoping that the matter would be finalised.
LGBTQ activist, Meisie Motaung said they hope the killers will get the sentence they deserve. She said it hasn't been easy trying to fight for justice for Sam for the past three years. She said come Thursday, they want a sentence that will ensure that justice has been served.
Four suspects were initially arrested, but the charges against Junior Modise (21) were dropped due to a lack of evidence. The three suspects, Thato Mosetlha (22), Arthur Khoza (19) and Mahlatsi Nkuna (21) face charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, murder, malicious damage to property and defeating the ends of justice.
The state through Advocate Nangamso Goloda closed its case after leading evidence through its witnesses who testified on events leading to Sam's death.
Judge Frances Reid postponed the matter to Thursday, 7 citing more time was needed to finalise the matter.
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