MAHIKENG MAIL - TAUNG - Eight accused persons appeared in the Taung Magistrates’ Court and were remanded in custody until Monday, 4 November for bail application after being arrested for attempted murder and kidnapping, arson, murder and malicious damage to property.
The accused appeared as follows: 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.
Thomas Morakanele (29), Tshepo Sekgetho (31) and Lesego Mongale (34) appeared on a charge of arson.
The team also arrested the ninth suspect Lebogang Morakabe (44), who he is facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property together with Letlhogolo Mothobi and Itumeleng Boikanyo.
The suspects in Magogong village allegedly committed the crimes after a missing girl’s burnt body was found and retrieved from an unused pit latrine. Following the discovery and the funeral of the young girl, some members of the community took the law into their own hands by allegedly kidnapping and severely assaulting the traditional healer’s son, setting alight the traditional healer’s house and ultimately killing her after she managed to get out of the house.
Moreover, goods were looted from a tavern and a tuckshop, which were then set ablaze.
Following the court appearance of the nine suspects in Taung, MEC Wessels Morweng called on the community to allow the police to do their work in their investigation, but to also assist them to find the killers of the two people in Magogong.
As a form of mitigation but also bringing peace to the community, Imbizo will also take place soon.
