Grandfather Appears For Stealing 11 Cattle
Tumelo Mouwane | Monday January 18, 2016 15:35
The trio were arraigned before magistrate Amos Tumelo on Friday. George Thelo (85) and his grandson, Witness Thelo (31) together with Pontsho Ramogae (28) face one count of stock theft.
The state alleges that the trio, on May 10, 2012 at Magotlhwane village acted jointly and stole 11 cows worth P42, 000 and branded them with George Thelo’s brand mark being D over TD.. The stolen cattle belonged to Kenalemang Matsiniki. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor in the case, Victor Chabanga of Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said the case was initially registered on July 18, 2013.
“It was then reallocated to Mr Mogopong. We re-registered the matter today (last Friday). It is clear that Mr Mogopong served the accused person and prospective witnesses with summary statements,” Chabanga said.
The officer further said the state was ready to set trial since Witness Thelo and Ramogae resided in South Africa.
“We are ready to set trial dates considering that two of the accused persons reside in South Africa and it will be difficult for them to come to court time and again,” Chabanga said.
“I cannot confirm trial dates but I will enroll the matter to Monday before the substantive magistrates,” Tumelo said.
The first accused person, George Thelo said he was sick and he was consulting a doctor and may from time time not be able to avail himself to court.
“I am sick, I was still sick when I was arraigned before court and I am consulting doctors, sometimes I will not make it to court,” George said.