Police present during night club murder
Sharon Mathala | Wednesday November 9, 2016 16:14
The deceased, Masego Chuma was said to have been preparing to attend the funeral of the man who was killed the previous weekend at the same place. The latest murder incident was the second in a week in the same area. Another man, Jackie Bogatsu, whose life was cut short in a similar fashion, has since been buried.
Testifying before a packed Extension 2 Magistrates’ Court yesterday, the investigating officer (IO), Detective Mogotsi Rankhudu said the police were present when the incident happened. The charge sheet had earlier been read to the accused, 26-year-old Gaone Morake.
He is facing a charge of murder he is alleged to have committed in the wee hours of November 5, 2016 at the Maruapula shopping complex. Giving reasons why Morake should remain behind bars as investigations into the case continue, Rakhudu said:
“I arrested the accused following allegations that he caused the death of the deceased (Masego Chuma) in the early hours of November 5, between 2am and 3am”. He added that the suspect was driving a Toyota Runx “which happens to be owned by one of the witnesses. The police were present at the scene of the incident”. “When he fled the scene, the police tried to block him, but he ran through and the police made way for him and a chase ensued. The police then communicated with others giving them the direction the accused had taken,” Rankhudu said.
He said the back-up team waited for him by the Btv circle, “and when he saw the police van he ran over the pavement now facing the oncoming traffic, jeopardising the lives of other motorists as well as three other passengers he had in the car”.
The IO also told the presiding Magistrate Ntombizodwa Ncube that the accused abandoned the car in Block 3 and escaped on foot. He said the three passengers in the car led the police to a house still in Block 3, where they found the accused crying.
“Another crucial evidence the police gathered is that he had communicated with his partner to say that he wanted to commit suicide as a result of what he did,” Rankhudu said.
The police also said so far they have gathered about nine witness statements all contradicting each other. They pleaded with to be given more time to recall the witnesses. The case continues on November 22.