Tag Archives: kidnapping

A murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, arson and malicious damage to property case postponed

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: A house of a traditional healer torched

By OBAKENG MAJE

7 November 2024- The bail application in a murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and arson case against nine accused, who were arrested in Modutung village, near Taung, has been postponed to 11 November 2024.

Letlhogolo Mothobi (38) and Itumeleng Boikanyo (45), are facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property. Othusitse Oshubile (31), Paul Kwati (43) and Ogopoleng Semau (33), were charged with attempted murder, murder and arson.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Thomas Morakanele (29), Tshepo Sekgetho (31) and Lesego Mongale (34), appeared on a charge of arson. Mokgwabone said the police also arrested the 9th suspect, Lebogang Morakabe (44).

“Morakabe is facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property together with Mothobi and Boikanyo. A multi-disciplinary team assembled to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village in Taung on 20 October 2024.

“The accused persons were arrested for allegedly committing the crimes after a missing girl, Rethabile Molapo’s burnt body was found and retrieved from an unused pit latrine. Following the discovery and the funeral of Molapo, some community members took the law into their own hands,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said among others, they allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted the traditional healer’ son, Kopano Legodu, set alight the traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu’s house and ultimately killed her after she managed to get out of the house. He added that goods were looted from a tavern and a tuckshop, which were then set ablaze.

“The investigations into the matter are underway and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out,” said Mokgwabone.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the success and commended the police involved in the investigation, tracing and subsequent arrests of the suspects.

Kwena urged community members to remain calm and work with the police to ensure that all those who perpetrated acts of mob justice and the killing of a young girl are brought to book to face the full might of the law.  

taungdailynews@gmail.com

 

Nine people arrested for murder, attempted murder, arson, kidnapping and malicious damage to property are back in court

NEWS Leave a comment

By OBAKENG MAJE

7 November 2024- The bail application in a murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and arson case against nine accused, who were arrested in Modutung village, near Taung, will resume today. This comes after a court recording device malfunctioned on Monday and the magistrate decided to postpone the matter.

Letlhogolo Mothobi (38) and Itumeleng Boikanyo (45), are facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property. Othusitse Oshubile (31), Paul Kwati (43) and Ogopoleng Semau (33), were charged with attempted murder, murder and arson.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Thomas Morakanele (29), Tshepo Sekgetho (31) and Lesego Mongale (34), appeared on a charge of arson. Mokgwabone said the police also arrested the 9th suspect, Lebogang Morakabe (44).

“Morakabe is facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property together with Mothobi and Boikanyo. A multi-disciplinary team assembled to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village in Taung on 20 October 2024.

“The accused persons were arrested for allegedly committing the crimes after a missing girl, Rethabile Molapo’s burnt body was found and retrieved from an unused pit latrine. Following the discovery and the funeral of Molapo, some community members took the law into their own hands,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said among others, they allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted the traditional healer’ son, Kopano Legodu, set alight the traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu’s house and ultimately killed her after she managed to get out of the house. He added that goods were looted from a tavern and a tuckshop, which were then set ablaze.

“The investigations into the matter are underway and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out,” said Mokgwabone.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the success and commended the police involved in the investigation, tracing and subsequent arrests of the suspects.

Kwena urged community members to remain calm and work with the police to ensure that all those who perpetrated acts of mob justice and the killing of a young girl are brought to book to face the full might of the law.  

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: A house of a traditional healer torched  

A murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and arson case to resume in court

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The torched house of a traditional healer

By OBAKENG MAJE

5 November 2024- The bail application in a murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and arson case against nine accused, who were arrested in Modutung village, near Taung, will resume today. This comes after a court recording device malfunctioned yesterday and the magistrate decided to postpone the matter.

Letlhogolo Mothobi (38) and Itumeleng Boikanyo (45), are facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property. Othusitse Oshubile (31), Paul Kwati (43) and Ogopoleng Semau (33), were charged with attempted murder, murder and arson.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Thomas Morakanele (29), Tshepo Sekgetho (31) and Lesego Mongale (34), appeared on a charge of arson. Mokgwabone said the police also arrested the 9th suspect, Lebogang Morakabe (44).

“Morakabe is facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property together with Mothobi and Boikanyo. A multi-disciplinary team assembled to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village in Taung on 20 October 2024.

“The accused persons were arrested for allegedly committing the crimes after a missing girl, Rethabile Molapo’s burnt body was found and retrieved from an unused pit latrine. Following the discovery and the funeral of Molapo, some community members took the law into their own hands,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said among others, they allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted the traditional healer’ son, Kopano Legodu, set alight the traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu’s house and ultimately killed her after she managed to get out of the house. He added that goods were looted from a tavern and a tuckshop, which were then set ablaze.

“The investigations into the matter are underway and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out,” said Mokgwabone.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the success and commended the police involved in the investigation, tracing and subsequent arrests of the suspects.

Kwena urged community members to remain calm and work with the police to ensure that all those who perpetrated acts of mob justice and the killing of a young girl are brought to book to face the full might of the law.   

taungdailynews@gmail.com

A trial on a murder case against a mother and her disabled son commences

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: One of the murder accused, Tlotliso Segwabe/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

3 October 2024- A trial on a murder case against a mother and her son from Extension 7 in Taung, has commenced in Taung Regional Court today. Kelebogile (42) and her disabled son, Tlotliso Segwabe (22), were arrested last year for a murder of a Zimbabwean man (26), who was killed during a mob justice.

The duo is facing murder, kidnapping, and malicious damage to property. It is alleged that, on the night of 28 June 2023, Tlotliso arrived at his house from a local tavern.

He was allegedly attacked by the deceased person with a spade, while trying to open the door. According to allegations, Tlotliso ran and screamed for help.

Some community members allegedly woke up and came to his rescue. It is alleged that the deceased person was chased and knocked at one of the houses, but the occupants refused to open for him. The community members allegedly did not catch him, but woke up early in the morning and embarked on a witch-hunt.

They allegedly found the deceased person and severely assaulted him with a sjambok. He was ferried to the Taung District Hospital for medical attention but allegedly succumbed to his injuries.

North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “It is alleged that the deceased victim was at the suspect’s home, where he was in an altercation with the son of the accused. He was overpowered and chased by a group of people and assaulted. The two accused persons were charged with kidnapping, murder, and malicious damage to property.”

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the social activist, Oratile Segosapelo, who also resides at Extension 7 said: “I am so disappointed that the police arrested the mother and her son, Tlotliso who is disabled.

“We do not know the motive behind the arrest, but we call on the police to be competent enough. Kelebogile’s health has deteriorated, while Tlotliso is disabled.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com

A judgement on a murder case of NWU employees and socialite, Sam Mbatha set

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The NWU employee and socialite, Sam Mbatha, who passed away

By OBAKENG MAJE

The murder case against three accused persons, Arthur Khoza (19), Mahlatsi Nkuna (21) and Thato Mosetla (22), has been postponed by the North West High Court sitting in Ga-Rankuwa to 7 March 2024 for judgement. Khoza, Nkuna and Mosetla, are facing charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, murder, malicious damage to property and defeating the ends of justice.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, these charges are linked to the gruesome death of the North West University (NWU) employee and socialite, Sam Mbatha (24).

Mamothame further said the trio was arrested following an intensive investigation by the police, linking them to the murder of Mbatha. He added that, the police investigations led them to a house in Phutha Section, near Klipgat on 21 June 2021, where they found bloodstains on the floor, under and on top of a bed, as well as on a carpet.

“Furthermore, an axe suspected to have been used during the commission of this crime was found on top of the roof of the house. DNA samples positively identified Sam Mbatha as the deceased person, whose body was found inside a burnt Hyundai i20 vehicle, at a soccer field in Ikageng Section on 10 January 2021.

“Mosetla was denied bail on 7 July 2022, after he initially abandoned it after his arrest. Meanwhile, Khoza and Nkuna are out on R500 bail each,” he said.

Meanwhile, the state, through Adv Nangamso Goloda, closed its case after leading evidence through its witnesses, who testified on incidents leading to Mbatha’s death.

taungdailynews@gmail.com