By Staff Reporter
MASOYI – Kenneth Mokoena, 29, shocked the courtroom on Wednesday, April 30, when he told the Masoyi Magistrate’s Court that his deceased father and grandfather appeared to him in a dream, claiming they were cold and wanted to be brought into his home.
Mokoena, who was arrested in Swalala near White River, faces two counts of grave violation after police allegedly found him sleeping next to human skeletal remains believed to be those of his father, Bheki Mokoena, and grandfather, William Mokoena. Both were buried in 2010.
The arrest followed a disturbing discovery made by a community member on Sunday, April 28, who noticed that two adjacent graves in a local cemetery had been tampered with. A report was filed at the Masoyi Police Station around 13h30.
Officers from the Masoyi Visible Policing Unit responded swiftly and confirmed the graves had been dug up.
A follow-up operation led them to the suspect’s home in the RDP section of Swalala, where they made the chilling discovery. Mokoena was found asleep in his bed with human bones beside him. He was arrested on the spot.
In court, Mokoena insisted he was fulfilling a spiritual duty and claimed confusion over his arrest. He pleaded to be released, stating he was only carrying out his ancestors’ wishes and didn’t want to anger their spirits.
The recovered bones have been confiscated as evidence and will be part of the ongoing investigation. Mokoena is scheduled to return to court on Monday, 05 May 2025.
Police have confirmed that investigations are continuing, and further updates will be provided as the case unfolds.
