Shooting victim's family cry for justice

KEOBONYE MAJATSIE
Correspondent | Thursday February 9, 2012 00:00

LSB Executive Secretary Tebogo Moipolai said in an interview that the DPP revealed the news last December.

Molefe was shot dead outside a Ramotswa businesswomanÕs yard. The officers are said to have shot the unarmed man at least 10 times.

'The DPP informed us that the matter was closed, meaning that there would be no action taken against the officers who allegedly caused the deceased's death. Earlier on we had assigned one of our members, but he later recused himself from the case because of conflict of interest,' said Moipolai.

 In  2010 the LSB urged families affected by extra-judicial killings to report their cases to the society's office, and Molefe's was among those  recommended for investigation.

In the light of this development, Molefe's family has asked the society to pursue the case further so that justice could manifestly be seen to be done.

 The society has assigned Ranier Busang of Busang Sebonego and Company, to investigate the case further and establish why the DPP did not order an inquest into Molefe's death.

 Speaking in an interview at the family's home in Ramotswa on Tuesday, the victim's mother Monene Molefe, confirmed that they have appealed to LSB to intervene.

 'We have lost confidence in government's ability to find out the truth about his killing because even up to now we have not received feedback from the police as to why our son was killed,' she said.

Molefe said LSB engaged a law firm to represent their interests but nothing much seems to have happened.

'We have not heard a word from the government or the police after the burial of our son.

 Up to now we do not know what the government's response is. We had hoped the government or police officers would brief us on how the investigation was progressing. They should come and explain to us the circumstances that led to his being shot and killed,' said Molefe.

She revealed that her son was employed by a businesswoman who runs a bar in Bokaa.

'What I understand is that the businesswoman refused to pay him for services rendered. Her refusal to pay him is said to have riled my son who organised a revenge attack on her residence,' she said.

By her account, the deceased is said to have been standing under a tree on guard when his colleagues jumped inside the yard.

 'When the police arrived, he saw the headlights and attempted to flee but bullets were fired at him,' she said.  Efforts to get a comment from the DPP Director Leonard Sechele were unsuccessful at the time of going to press. (Sila Press Agency)