Agnes Setshwantsho (49) – charged in relation to the death of her niece Bonolo Modiseemang (30) in a multimillion-rand life insurance scam – will spend the next week behind bars.

News24 report says she made her first appearance in the Mmabatho Magistrate's Court on Friday to face charges of murder, fraud and defeating the ends of justice.

It is alleged that after poisoning Modiseemang, Setshwantsho claimed she died from natural causes, defrauded an insurance company twice, and also failed to report to the death to the authorities.

Setshwantsho's lawyer, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, told Magistrate Duane Spandiel that her client had a previous conviction for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The police claim Setshwantsho is also linked to the killings of her husband and three children to fraudulently claim large sums of money from life insurance policies.

Her husband died in 2016, her son in July 2023, and her two daughters in 2015 and 2005.

It is alleged that Setshwantsho registered the victims with various insurance companies.

She then allegedly claimed large sums of money from life cover policies she allegedly took on behalf of the victims.

The case was postponed to 24 November 2023 for a formal bail application.

Full News24 report