The North West Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the life imprisonment handed down to Peter Bila (49) by the High Court of South Africa – North West Division sitting in Mogwase, on Friday, 28 October 2022, for three counts of murder that he committed in Rustenburg Noord on Thursday, 15 August 2019.
On the fateful night of Thursday, 15 August 2022, the deceased couple, Mmusi Ratlotleng (41) and Nkagisang Mothopi (38) were sleeping at their rented room when Bila doused their room with petrol and set it alight. In the process the room next to them caught fire as well and a 13-year-old girl, Angel Chimomo was severely burned.
All three victims succumbed to their injuries while in hospital.
The accused was charged with three counts of murder of which he was given life imprisonment for each.
He was further sentenced to ten years for arson and five years for malicious damage after two vehicles that were parked outside the house caught fire.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Richard Mokgogwane and the Prosecutor; Advocate Sello Maema as well as other role players for their team work that resulted in the conviction.
