By OBAKENG MAJE

The families of two men, Tumelo Tlonkwe (33) and Rebaone Malekanyo (34), who were accused of killing a former Vaaltar FM presenter and local socialite, Tshepang Seelo (32) back in 2021 said, they are relieved that the court did not find them guilty. Malekanyo and Tlonkwe from Modimong village, near Taung, were facing premeditated murder, assault, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Henry Mamothame, Seelo was allegedly killed on 31 October 2021, while walking from a local tavern with his girlfriend.

“The deceased allegedly saw the duo stealing roof sheets from a certain house and blew the whistle. Then the accused allegedly assaulted, kidnapped, and killed him before dumping his body in a furrow near Khibitswane village, near Taung.

“Seelo’s girlfriend allegedly ran away and escaped unharmed. The deceased’s lifeless body was found floating in a river on 3 November 2021. It is alleged that, his body was also mutilated and his eyes and tongue were missing,” said Mamothame.

He further said, the two men were arrested on 2 November 2021 after they handed themselves over to the police. Their case was transferred to the North West High Court sitting in Vryburg.

On 11 January 2024, Tlonkwe and Malekanyo were found not guilty by the North West High Court due to lack of sufficient evidence.

Meanwhile, Rebaone’s brother, Pacman Malekanyo said: “We are happy that, finally the justice system has acquitted our brothers and the truth has prevailed. This is what we have been saying that, our brothers are falsely accused in this matter.

“Unfortunately, our livelihoods have been severely affected in the process because our houses were torched by irked residents. We had to relocate our parents from their area of birth due to safety measures.”

Pacman said they will now shift their focus and ensure that, those perpetrators who torched their houses are being arrested and prosecuted. He said they will also have a consultative engagement with their lawyers to look into a civil case against the state.

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