By REGINALD KANYANE
A murder case against four alleged drug lords was postponed to 5 and 6 December 2022 by the Taung Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. A local businessman and alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong (31), Thabang Lenyai (23), Phenyo Katong (34), and Katlego Mosimege (31) were arrested in April 2022 for allegedly brutally killing the late Thabiso Mothibedi (35), who was one of their loyal customers.
They accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house at Manthe village, near Taung in North West. The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Lenganeng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and transported him back to Manthe village.
“Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted. After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to a local clinic by the accused, however, he was declared dead upon arrival.
“The accused were arrested and charged with Thabiso’s murder,” Tselanyane said.
On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in armed and allegedly torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family. The murder case against the accused was initially postponed to 15 February 2022, but they made an urgent bail application for 22 November 2022 and was granted.
However, magistrate Edwin Letsapa postponed the matter until 5-6 December 2022. Letsapa said this was to give enough time to both defence and state to prepare for their ‘heads of arguments’ for bail application.
Meanwhile, community members packed the court to the rafters. They also submitted a petition calling for no bail against the accused.
Thabiso’s aunt, Kehilwe Modisakoma said: “We were not even informed as family about this urgent bail application launched by the accused. So, we just wonder why it made secret. However, we do not want to see these criminals getting bail because they selling nyaope to the youth.
“They turned Thabiso into their slave and killed him afterwards. Nyaope is killing the future of many young people and we hope that justice system will take that into consideration. We call for no bail against the accused and because we not sure what will happen if they are granted it.”
One of community leaders, Rapampiri Motshitshi shared the same sentiments. Motshitshi said they do not want to see the accused among their community because of their criminal activities they executing within the community.
“Our youth to do not have future because they are destroyed by nyaope. The only thing that we want is to see a clean community that is free from drugs. These young boys come to our houses and steal just to feed their cravings,” he said.
The Guardian 