Manthe murder case postponed for pre-trial


By OBAKENG MAJE

10 December 2025- A murder case against a rapist and alleged murderer, Bakang Katong (32), his co-accused, Thabang Lenyai (23), Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34), was postponed to 19 January 2026, by Taung Regional Court for pre-trial.

The accused persons were arrested three years ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35), in cold blood. This comes after they accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in Manthe village, near Taung.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried 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 murder,” he said.

On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Manthe murder case postponed again


By OBAKENG MAJE

15 January 2025- A murder case against a rapist and alleged murderer, Bakang Katong (32), his co-accused, Thabang Lenyai (23), Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34), was postponed to 24 February2025 by the Taung Regional Court.

The accused persons were arrested two years ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35), in cold blood. This comes after they accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in Manthe village, near Taung.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried 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 murder,” he said.

On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

A murder case against rapist, Bakang Katong and his co-accused back in court


Picture: Three of four accused persons/Facebook  

By OBAKENG MAJE

14 January 2025- A trial on a murder case against a rapist and alleged murderer, Bakang Katong (32), his co-accused, Thabang Lenyai (23), Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34), is expected to commence today at Taung Regional Court.

The accused persons were arrested two years ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35), in cold blood. This comes after they accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in 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 Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried 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 murder,” he said.

On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Manthe murder case postponed


By OBAKENG MAJE

7 November 2024- A trial on a murder case against a rapist and alleged murderer, Bakang Katong (32) and his co-accused, Thabang Lenyai (23) and Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34), has been postponed by Taung Regional Court until 14 January 2024.

The accused persons were arrested two years ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35), in cold blood. This comes after they accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in 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 Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried 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 murder,” he said.

On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

A trial on a murder case against rapist and co-accused resumes in court


By OBAKENG MAJE

7 November 2024- A trial on a murder case against a rapist and alleged murderer, Bakang Katong (32) and his co-accused, Thabang Lenyai (23) and Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34), will today resume at Taung Regional Court. The case was postponed due to a malfunctioning court recording machine.  

The accused persons were arrested two years ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35), in cold blood.

This comes after they accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in 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 Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried 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 murder,” he said.

On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

A trial on a murder case against rapist and co-accused postponed


By OBAKENG MAJE

5 November 2024- A trial on a murder case against a rapist and alleged murderer, Bakang Katong (32) and his co-accused, Thabang Lenyai (23) and Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34), was postponed to Thursday by the Taung Regional Court. This comes after court recording machine malfunctioned.

The accused persons were arrested two years ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35), in cold blood.

This comes after they accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in 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 Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried 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 murder,” he said.

On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family.

The trial will commence on 4-5 November 2024.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

A trial on murder case against a rapist, Bakang Katong and his co-accused set to start  


By OBAKENG MAJE

4 November 2024- A trial on a murder case against a rapist and alleged murderer, Bakang Katong (32) and his co-accused, Thabang Lenyai (23) and Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34), is set to start today at Taung Regional Court. The accused persons were arrested two years ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35), in cold blood.

This comes after they accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in 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 Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried 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 murder,” he said.

On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family.

The trial will commence on 4-5 November 2024.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

A murder case against a rapist, Bakang Katong and his co-accused ready for trial


Picture: Some of the accused persons in a murder case

By OBAKENG MAJE

3 October 2024- A trial date has been set on a murder case against four accused persons from Manthe village, near Taung. The convicted rapist, Bakang Katong (32), Thabang Lenyai (23) and Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34), were arrested two years ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35), in cold blood.

This comes after they accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in 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 Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried 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 murder,” he said.

On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family.

The trial will commence on 3-4 November 2024. 

taungdailynews@gmail.com

A murder case against a rapist and alleged murderer, Bakang Katong and co-accused back in court


Picture: The accused persons in a murder case    

By OBAKENG MAJE

A murder case against alleged murderer and convicted rapist, Bakang Katong (32) and his co-accused, Thabang Lenyai (23) and Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34), will resume at Taung Regional Court today. The accused persons were nabbed two years ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35) in cold blood.

This comes after they accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in 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 Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried 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 murder,” Tselanyane said.

On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family.

Meanwhile, the court heard that there was a letter from the community members requesting that the murder case be transferred to the North West High Court in Mahikeng owing to its nature, however, that was not entertained.

It is alleged that the state is set to call seven witnesses, while the accused persons will call four witnesses. There were also allegations that the accused persons intended to plead guilty. However, it is yet unknown if that is still their intention.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Breaking News: Taung prosecutor recuse himself from a murder case


By OBAKENG MAJE

A prosecutor in a murder case against the alleged murderer and convicted rapist, Bakang Katong (32) and his co-accused, Thabang Lenyai (23) and Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34), has allegedly recused himself from the case.

Sandile Mbokazi allegedly informed the the court yesterday that he recuse himself from the case, but he did not state his reasons. The case was postponed until 8 August 2024, for the state to secure services of a new prosecutor.

The accused persons were nabbed two years ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35) in cold blood.

This comes after they accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in 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 Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried 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 murder,” Tselanyane said.

On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family. 

Meanwhile, the court heard that there was a letter from the community members requesting that the murder case be transferred to the North West High Court in Mahikeng owing to its nature, however, that was not entertained.

It is alleged that the state is set to call seven witnesses, while the accused persons will call four witnesses. There were also allegations that the accused persons intended to plead guilty. However, it is yet unknown if that is still their intention.

taungdailynews@gmail.com