The State alleged that Nthoiwa Maxala, 36, Tshoganetso Maxala, 25, Thusani Manala, 31, Tsaone Sedimo, 31, Unaludo Madumba, 30, Obonetse Sedimo, 31 and McPherson Gaogakwe, 52, killed Thuso Mulaladzi on September 13, 2015 at Somerset East location using a firearm. However, when the case appeared before Justice Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe on Friday, the state prosecutor filed nolle prosequi papers (unwilling to prosecute or do not prosecute) against Tshoganetso, Manala, Sedimo, Madumba, Sedimo, and Gaogakwe, which effectively mean that only Nthoiwa will be tried for the offence. A private attorney however explained to The Monitor that the entry of a nolle prosequi is not an acquittal. “Since the principle of double jeopardy therefore does not apply, the defendant may later be indicted on the same charge again,” he explained.
Trial dates in the matter have been set for April 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 in 2019. Attorney Reneetswe Rabosotho represents Nthoiwa. Before the matter was committed to the High Court, the investigating officer in the case, Lynn Agang told the court that during the course of her investigations, the third accused person, Thabani Manala, was with six other men who are also charged with the murder of Mulaladzi, who was a Physics teacher at McConnell College in Tutume, in 2015.
