Court hears of strained relationship between murdered mother and accused daughters

The High Court has heard evidence suggesting that the late Martha ’Masechache Rasekoai frequently complained about being disrespected by her two daughters, Nthei and Mamphoka Rasekoai, who are now on trial for her murder.

This emerged during the testimony of the deceased’s sister, Lineo Mohau, the third state witness in the case. She told Justice ’Maliepollo Maketha’s court that relations between the deceased and her daughters were tense. Ms Mohau said the accused often left their children in the care of the deceased while they went out partying and sometimes failed to return. She said this placed emotional and physical strain on the deceased, who had a dislocating arm that made caring for young children difficult.

Mr Ntholi testified that on the night of 25 July 2022, Nthei arrived at his home appearing dazed and confused. She told him she had fought with her boyfriend. He advised her to resolve the matter with him.

He said that shortly after she left, he heard a loud bang but saw nothing when he checked outside. Later, Nthei returned, knocking and asking for help. When he stepped outside, he discovered she had crashed the vehicle into a tree at a neighbour’s home.