Appearing for arraignment this week, Poelo Tibane was charged with a single count of threat to kill. According to the charge sheet, on or about August 23, 2024, the accused person threatened to kill Kemmonye Lebane. It is alleged that near Mayfair bar, Tibane threatened to kill the complainant by uttering words to the effect, “Wena wa ntlwaela. Ke batla go go bolaya.” When loosely translated the utterances mean: You do not respect me and for that I want to kill you. Unfortunately for Tibane, the complainant took the threat seriously and proceeded to open a case against him with the police.
After the charge sheet was read out to him, presiding magistrate Kamogelo Mmesi asked the accused how will he plead to the offence, is he guilty or not. Taking the court by surprise, the accused person took accountability for the offence which is not common in many cases before courts. “I plead guilty to the offence of threat to kill. I did utter those words,” he responded to the magistrate. The case is set to proceed to case management conference with Tibane pleading guilty to the offence. State prosecutors highlighted that they be afforded time to prepare the facts for the case. Acceding to the request made, the magistrate provided a new date for the continuation of the matter. “The matter is set for April 2nd for facts presentation and case management conference," Mmesi ordered. The case continues.
