Excellent investigative work by the Provincial Anti-Gang resulted in the arrest and subsequent court appearance of a 38-year-old Charmaine Bila on two separate charges of murder and one of attempted murder. The accused was initially arrested on Friday, 17 November 2023, and appeared in the Stilfontein Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 20 November 2023.
Bila’s arrest stemmed from an incident wherein a 26-year-old Sandy Maleshane and her 31-year-old boyfriend were allegedly shot at while in a house at Khuma Location outside Stilfontein on Sunday, 24 September 2023. Maleshane’s boyfriend was reportedly confronted and shot while responding to a knock at the door. Although he managed to flee and finally rushed to hospital for medical treatment, his girlfriend was declared dead at the scene, after she was allegedly shot by two male suspects.
Following an intensive and prosecution led investigation, Bila was arrested after allegations suggested that she hired two hitmen to kill the victim for insurance claim. Ensuing investigations linked the accused with another murder allegedly committed in Klerksdorp a few hours before the Khuma incident on 24 September 2023. According to information, police were summoned to the scene of arson where they found the burnt body of Thys Safatsa, which was certified dead by paramedics. As result, a case of inquest was opened. However, the meticulous investigation with the guidance of prosecution, linked Bila with the incident and the inquest docket was changed to murder after it came out that Sefatsa was also killed for insurance claim. Investigations into the cases revealed that the accused positively claimed R320 000.00 in respect of the two deceased who were her cousin and father respectively.
Subsequent to Bila’s appearance in the Stilfontein Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 28 November 2023, she was remanded in custody until 6 December 2023, for formal bail application. The accused also appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 29 November 2023, in connection with the alleged murder of Sandy Maleshane. She was remanded in custody until Thursday, 7 December 2023, for this case.
Investigations into both cases are continuing and anyone who may have information that can assist in the investigation, is requested to contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Kabelo Kwele on 0791730679.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecution, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the police, prosecution and everyone for collaborative efforts that led to the breakthrough. They further warned that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that justice is served.
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