Witness recounts encounter with Merubisi gang

Onalethata Lesole was testifying in a case in which three cousins, Bogolo Kowa (23), Metlha Kowa (20), Kagiso Kowa (22) are facing a count of causing grievous bodily harm. The trio is also facing numerous other charges relating to separate incidents in the village.

Appearing before magistrate Lindiwe Makgoro, Lesole said he had been hanging out with his friends at Urban Night Club in the village on July 7, 2013 when the accused trio came over and poked him in the face. “I was with my friends Ofentse Rankgopo and Keabetswe Lesole when the trio approached us and Kagiso started poking us in the face. We didn’t even retaliate,” he said. Lesole said when the club closed, and were leaving for home, the suspects returned and began harassing them before Bogolo drew a knife, slapped him and then stabbed him in the left eye.