Picture: The initiates at the initiation school/Generic
By REGINALD KANYANE
Two men who are facing murder, two violations of corpses, and defeating the ends of justice, briefly appeared in the Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court and abandoned their bail application. Obakeng Segwabe (19) and Olebogeng Mafora (21) were arrested for the alleged murder of two people after human bones were found in plastic in the bushes in Mosweu village, near Lehurutshe.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame, said after further investigation and linkages to three decomposed bodies that were discovered between December 2023 and January 2024 and that the deceased were part of the boys that were at the initiation school, three additional charges of murder were added.
Mamothame added that the deceased persons were allegedly starved and beaten to death.
“Their bodies were subsequently burnt. The police investigations, including the identification of the bodies through DNA, are underway, hence the non-disclosure of the deceased names. Further investigations also led to the arrest of Koketso Mmutlane (19), for defeating the ends of justice.
“He allegedly influenced Segabe and Mafora to lie about the legality of the initiation school and its activities, including the deaths. He is expected to appear before court on 9 February 2024, after being released on a warning,” said Mamothame.
He said Segwabe and Mafora’s case was postponed to 18 March 2024 for further investigations. Mamothame said the duo is currently in police custody.
The Guardian 