Four policemen acquitted

The acquitted policemen - Modiredi Modise, Montshwari Ramatebele, Loeto Morwaagae and Gontse Mngundu - could not believe their luck after Judge Zibani Makhwade's pronouncement. They had been suspended from duty pending the finalisation of their case. Their attorney Busang Manewe said the outcome of the case was a great victory for the law enforcement officers in combating crime.

He said the judgement also confirms the right of the law enforcement officers to use reasonable force to effect arrest. "This is not only a victory for the four acquitted men but also for the entire law enforcement system."
Manewe, however, regretted that someone (Monngae) had lost his life, adding that it was not their intention to kill him.In acquitting the four, Makhwade found that it was necessary for the policemen to take necessary steps to ensure that the suspect did not escape from custody.