New evidence in ATI abduction case

Sharon Mathala | Wednesday June 4, 2014 11:17

Kgosiemang Mpaphi, the prosecutor, asked Extension II Magistrate Court yesterday for more time to probe the matter, saying they have discovered new evidence in the charges the rapper is facing.

The State says Molemogi and two co-accused, Baboloki Phaga and Godiraone Motswedi allegedly abducted, assaulted and tortured Nayang Ngwenya after a dispute over gate-takings stemming from a Christmas show near Serowe last year.

While the State was due to file its evidence yesterday, Mpaphi said the prosecution needed more time to collect its evidence and consolidate its case against the trio.

“We have just found more evidence, relevant evidence, that we feel is important and could make our case. We request for a later date where we will now be ready with all the evidence,” Mpaphi said.

Magistrate Joy Norman-Brown gave the prosecution until July 25 to return to court, cautioning that any further requests for extensions would be rejected and the case thrown out.

For his part, Molemogi’s lawyer, Kgosietsile Ngakayagae, said the State was wasting the court’s time by dragging the case.  He pleaded with the prosecution to be ready with their evidence by the next mention.

In a previous appearance, prosecutors said the O Tsididi hitmaker and his alleged accomplices beat Ngwenya up on January 2 this year before throwing him into the boot of the musician’s vehicle.

The victim has told police that the three accused tortured him with electro-shock via battery terminals. Ngwenya also says the three threatened to kill him.

The court has heard that Ngwenya was rescued from his plight when a police roadblock discovered him in the boot of the musician’s vehicle.

Molemogi and his co-accused have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In court yesterday, the 24-year-old rapper’s family came in full support, with a man identified as his uncle whisking him away after the court appearance.