Magistrate remands Zim man's lynch mob
Lebogang Mosikare | Tuesday March 15, 2022 15:28
The state alleges that Thapelo Mokgapho, Gofaone Petros, Goitsemodimo Muzila, and cousins Thapelo, Ishmael and Tumelo White, allegedly murdered Zimbabwean illegal immigrant, Goodwill Nkomo on February 21 at Tatisiding.
When the case appeared for a status hearing on Tuesday before Mooketsi, prosecutor Jacob Handly called the Investigations Officer (IO) to advance reasons as to why the state was opposed to the accused being granted bail.
The IO detective, assistant Superintendent Justice Modisane told the court that the police have as yet not arrested three other suspects who are implicated in the matter.
Modisane continued: “We are also yet to interview potential witnesses who allegedly witnessed the offence when it was committed. Some of the witnesses stay in Tatisiding while some reside in the fields around Tatisiding. We fear that if the accused are granted bail, they may tamper with our investigations.
"Some of the potential witnesses in this matter are not forthcoming with the truth, which delays our investigations. In addition, some suspects who are implicated in this matter are evading arrest hence our application for the accused to be further remanded in custody.
"We as such pray that we be given two weeks to finalise investigations in this matter.”
When cross-examining Modisane, some of the accused persons asked him why he was only implicating them in the matter when about 30 people took part in assaulting Nkomo and also pleaded with the court to set the closest dates for status hearing if remanded in custody.
When denying the accused bail, Mooketsi said that the charge sheet reflects that the offence was allegedly committed in February.
“The IO has told the court that some suspects in this matter are evading arrest while some witnesses are not forthcoming with the truth. At this juncture, the court is minded to agree with the IO that the accused may tamper with investigations when they are granted bail. Although it is the accused’s constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, that right may be curtailed if there are reasonable grounds for doing so. Therefore, the accused shall be further remanded in custody pending finalisation of investigations in this matter. They shall appear in court on March 29 for a status update,” Mooketsi said.