/ 23 March 2007

Man accused of digging up mother’s grave

A 30-year-old man suspected of digging up his mother’s grave in rural North West was remanded in custody by the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Albert Kgwatisi, of Moruleng near Mogwase, appeared in court briefly. He was not asked to plead and his case was postponed to April 2 for a bail application. He is charged with violating a dead body.

During his brief court appearance, Kgwatisi wore a navy-blue vest. Sporting dreadlocks, he seemed calm as the charges were read to him. He occasionally bowed his head, and he folded his arms every time the court interpreter spoke to him.

He was arrested on Wednesday. He had allegedly dug open his mother’s grave and removed two teeth from the skull.

The skull was replaced in the grave and the grave was filled up again.

He allegedly told police that he removed the teeth so that his mother would come looking for them, giving him a chance to meet her again.

His mother died in 2002. — Sapa