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Sophy Mmako, 51, and Lazarus Mahlo, 41, in court.
- The domestic worker accused of being involved in the murders of a Polokwane Ocean Basket owner and her mother received a refrigerator from her family.
- This when she was helping them pack the victims’ belongings the day after their memorial service.
- The woman and her boyfriend appeared in court on Monday.
The domestic worker accused of being involved in the murders of Polokwane Ocean Basket owner Lizette Deacon, 55, and her mother, Hettie, 70, received a refrigerator shortly after her death.
According to Netwerk24, family members gave the device to Sophy Mmako, 51, to thank her for her years of service. Mmako was reportedly helping them pack the deacons’ belongings the day after their memorial service.
It was previously reported that Mmako was crying at the memorial service and had to be comforted by friends and family of the deacons.
Mmako and Lazarus Mahlo, 41, who is believed to be her boyfriend, appeared in Polokwane Magistrates Court on Monday, News24 previously reported.
They face charges of murder, aggravated robbery, and kidnapping after deacons were stabbed to death. They will remain in custody until their next court appearance on September 25, according to the regional spokesman for the National Tax Authority, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi.
READ | Murder of the owner of Ocean Basket and her mother: domestic worker, boyfriend in court
Their co-defendants, Abibi Hamid and Casper Mudau, who are already in detention, will join them. They appeared in court on September 15 and were charged with murder and home burglary.
Mahlo was arrested in Ivory Park, Tembisa, and Mmako was arrested in Polokwane, both on Friday morning.
Lizette Deacon, 55, and her mother, Hettie Deacon, 70, died.
‘I can not believe it’
Netwerk24 reports that Mmako had worked for Hettie for the past 24 years, while Mahlo had until recently worked at one of Lizette Deacon’s Ocean Basket branches.
Dia van Staden, a longtime friend of Lizette and Hettie, was crying outside of court Monday. She has known Mmako for several years. “I can’t believe it. When he saw me in court, he even greeted me,” Van Staden said.
The police were still looking for a man named “Owen” who goes by the surnames Setsiba, Makutara or Mbedzi to help with their investigation. He was thought to be a Zimbabwean.
READ ALSO | Domestic worker arrested for Polokwane murders cried at victims’ funeral
Police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo previously said the deacons were stabbed, tied up and found dead in their van.
The crime scene at his home prompted a search and a helicopter helped locate the vehicle. Officers found their bodies inside the idle truck on the side of the road.
Anyone with information on Owen’s whereabouts was asked to call the nearest police station or Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
– Compiled by Riaan Grobler
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