By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West reacted with shock to the acquittal of two Coligny farmers, Pieter Doorewaard and Phillip Schutte who was previously found guilty of killing a teenager, Matlhomola Mosweu (16) after accusing him of stealing a sunflower heads back in 2017.

In March 2019, the North West High Court sitting in Mafikeng found Schutte and Doorewaard guilty of murder and sentenced them both to 23 and 18 years in jail respectively.

However, in November 2019, the duo took their matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein and were granted R20 000 bail pending leave to appeal against their conviction and sentence.

On Friday, the Supreme Court of Appeal overturns convictions and sentences against them. 

Now, the SANCO provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe said: “The civic organisation described the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) overruling the conviction of Doorewaard and Schutte as a probable miscarriage of justice.

“The ruling which effectively frees the alleged murderers convicted for Mosweu’s ghastly murder gives credence to the assertion that “black lives do not matter” and that there is seemingly no justice for the poorest of the poor who are facing worst atrocities in rural communities.”  

Sebegoe further said the perceptions that perpetrators of violent crimes will walk scot-free, while victims are buried six-feet under will continue to haunt the historically marginalised until those responsible for the teenager’s gruesome murder are behind bars. He also expressed concern that the appeal ruling which was delivered in the wake of resurgence of racism will heighten racial tensions.

“This will undoubtedly reopen wounds that were beginning to heal in the hope that justice had been served,” he said.

Meanwhile, Civil rights organisation AfriForum, which funded the appeal case, has welcomed the acquittal, TimesLive reports.

“We are very thankful for the acquittal of Schutte and Doorewaard. AfriForum has said from the very beginning that the state’s only witness lied and, therefore, the organisation decided to finance the application for appeal. 

“AfriForum has covered the full costs of the application for appeal because we believed in their innocence and today justice was served,” said Kallie Kriel, AfriForum CEO.

AfriForum had previously criticised the NPA’s failure to consider cellphone records which would have shown that the witness could have not seen what happened, given the distance away he was at the time of the incident.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Mahikeng Ministers Fellowship (MMF) called for united action against the scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide. This comes after the Atamelang Regional Court sentenced Buti George Lebitsa (43) to 15 years imprisonment for murder of his girlfriend, Thembi Lobakaeng (32).

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the duo had an argument on 29 September 2019 in their shack at Senthumule Extension 8, Delareyville. Myburgh said Lebitsa was seen leaving their home the following morning and upon further investigation, the neighbours found Lobakaeng’s lifeless body lying on her bed with head injuries.

“She was declared dead on the scene by Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS). Excellent investigative work by Sergeant Ofentse Petrus Molusi of the Delareyville Detectives led to the arrest of Lebitsa a day later. Bail was successfully opposed, thus, Lebitsa has been in custody since his arrest,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena applauded the detectives for their tireless efforts that ascertained that the accused is convicted.

MMF Chairperson, Senior Pastor Moss Tlalang said: “The inter-denominational fraternal of five-fold ministries described the GBV pandemic as an abomination that must be confronted wherever it raises its ugly head.

“The the deafening silence of the church and traditional institutions around interpersonal GBV often being committed by intimate partners and known acquaintance is a betrayal of women and children who have had to endure worst atrocities at the hands of unrepented perpetrators.”

Tlalang also challenged the REAL men to stand up to be counted in the 365 days campaign. He said men must embrace the responsibility to model authentic values for the neglected boy children.

“The 16 days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign should therefore be a heightened awareness programme that supports the festive season crime prevention effort.

“We also, call for a concerted effort in partnership with churches to reach out to women and girl children who are the most vulnerable. The new normal must usher a season of hope, open dialogue and respect for the rights of women and children and translate into safer homes, protected neighbourhoods for our women to reclaim their streets,” said Tlalang.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Seven suspects aged between 23 and 38, were arrested by the North West police in Swartruggens for being in possession of suspected stolen goods and burglary. According to the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh, the police received information about a syndicate conspiring to commit a burglary at a store in Swartruggens recently.

“The suspects’ safe house was identified at Borolelo Location outside Swartruggens. Later at night, the suspects allegedly broke and gained entrance into a clothing store as well as a nearby supermarket. However, the suspects fled from the scene to the safe house after the activation of the security alarm.

“An intelligence-driven operation by the police resulted in the arrest of the suspects after keeping observation of them. The police entered the house and arrested them after they were found inside the house with wet and muddy clothes,” Myburgh said.

She added that subsequently, suspected stolen clothes and groceries were found. Myburgh further said the suspects appeared in Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court on 26 November 2020 and charged for being in possession of suspected stolen goods and burglary.

They will remain in custody until their next court appearance on 4 December 2020.  

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the police for their collaborative efforts that led to the success.

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