By OBAKENG MAJE
A decision on an urgent bail application in a murder case against four accused is set to be made today at Taung Magistrate’s Court. Last year, a local businessman and alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong (31), Thabang Lenyai (23), Phenyo Katong (34), and Katlego Mosimege (31), who allegedly brutally killed Thabiso Mothibedi (35) made an urgent bail application and their request was granted.
They were arrested in April 2022 for allegedly killing Mothibedi, who was one of their loyal customers after accusing him of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house at Manthe village, near Taung.
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 on 22 November 2022, which was granted.
The court heard that the investigating officer allegedly received death threats. He also received a petition from a section of the community members that urges the court to release the accused.
However, the investigating officer told the court that, according to his analysis, those who signed the petition calling for the release of the accused, allegedly did that under false pretense as they want to kill them.
He said, it will be in the interest of the accused if they are kept incarcerated.
Meanwhile, some other community members packed the court to the rafters and submitted a petition calling for no bail against the accused.
One of the community leaders, Rapampiri Motshitshi said, they do not want to see the accused within their community because of the criminal activities they executed.
“Our youth are faced with a bleak 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 