By BAKANG MOKOTO
25 January 2025- An attempted murder case against wayward social media influencer, Musawenkosi Khawula (32), was postponed by the Fochville Magistrate’s Court until 5 February 2025. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said Khawula is facing charges of attempted murder, alternatively reckless driving, as well as an additional charge of failing to render assistance and/or report an accident to the police. Mahanjana said these charges allegedly arise from an incident that took place on 20 February 2021, around 6pm, near Mponeng Mine.
“It is alleged that the complainant and his wife were driving home on a narrow road when they noticed a Volkswagen Polo parked along the roadway. The accused was standing next to the vehicle naked on his lower body.
“The couple approached the accused, informing him that he was trespassing on private property. Upon looking inside the vehicle, the complainant allegedly saw another man moving from the back seat to the front seat while getting dressed,” she said.
Mahanjana further said after an exchange of words between the complainant and the accused, Khawula allegedly returned to his car, drove away, when he reached a dead-end he executed a U-turn. She added that he then allegedly bumped the complainant, who was standing beside the driver’s side of his vehicle, before fleeing the scene, leaving the complainant injured on the ground.
“A member of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) driving on the same road later found the injured complainant and alerted the police. The accused was arrested shortly thereafter at a nearby tavern at Mponeng Mine, making his first court appearance on 22 February 2021, where he was granted R1000 bail.
“However, after failing to appear in court on two occasions, a warrant for his arrest was authorised, and his bail was forfeited to the state on 17 June 2021,” said Mahanjana.
She said Khawula was re-arrested and appeared in court again on 16 January 2025. Mahanjana said the court has since added a charge of attempted murder, with reckless driving as an alternative, along with the charge of failing to render assistance and/or report the accident.
“The matter has been postponed to 5 February 2025, for a formal bail application. The accused is remanded in custody,” she said.
The Guardian 