31 Jan 2023

A suspect in the mysterious death of Taung Junior Secondary School teacher appeared briefly before Extension 2 Magistrate Monday and will be detained until March 8, which is next court appearance.

The lifeless body of 39-years-old Taung Setswana teacher, Ms Thato Sephonono was discovered early Saturday morning by her neighbours and colleagues at her teacher’s quarters apartment.

Sharing details of the grisly findings, Taung school head, Ms Tebogo Sebogodi said she received a call from the late Sephonono’s neighbour, who found some household items such as food canisters and kitchen utensils scattered outside the house.

She said upon close inspection the neighbour, who initially suspected burglary, found out that the house was not broken into as the doors and windows were intact, but the bathroom tap was running.

She said the neighbour, who was in the company of her husband, was alarmed by this and immediately called the police, who also confirmed that there was no sign of intrusion.

Ms Sebogodi said upon entering the house the police and the neighbours discovered broken pieces of glass and a pool of blood with a strong stench.

She said the deceased housemate at the institutional house had gone to her home village on Friday, leaving behind the late Sephonono and her 19-year-old son.

Ms Sebogodi said upon entering the house the police discovered that the deceased’s son was the one inside the locked bathroom and after several pleas from the police he came out naked while her mother’s lifeless body was discovered inside the kitchen, clothes stripped off.

In a Tuesday interview Ramotswa Police Station Commander, Superintendent Keoagile Tau confirmed that they were investigating the incident, saying the deceased 19-year-old son was in police custody helping with investigations, which were at an infancy stage.

Superintendent Tau advised community members against posting unfounded allegations on social media. He said since the matter was reported to his office it was disturbing to see 'inflammatory messages' spread via social media platforms, warning that the police were keeping a close watch on the matter and action may be taken against those sharing baseless false information.

A memorial service in honour of the late Sephonono will be held at Taung JSS Wednesday at 2pm.

 Ends