TRIAL FOR MURDERED MAREETSANE POLICE SET FOR JULY
The High Court of South Africa; North West Division, postponed the case against the four men and one minor accused of killing two police officers, in Mareetsane to 24 July 2023, for trial.
The trial was set to start from 13 to 17 March 2023, however the matter had to be rolled over on the first day to allow some defence attorneys to make final consultations with their clients. On Wednesday, 15 March 2023 the defence attorneys submitted a guilty plea proposal to the state, which was ultimately rejected as it was deemed not to be interest of justice. This resulted in a new date being agreed on by the court and all parties involved. The court sitting was declared a juvenile court, owing to the age of the 16-year-old who is standing trial in this matter.
Benjamin Jacobs (42), Jeremiah Mongale (26), Rapulana Keikantse (25), Matthews Modukane (20) and a 16-year-old boy, are charged with the murder of Constable Simon Ngakaemang Ntsekeletsa (50), and Sergeant Mojalefa Horatius Molete (42).malicious damage to property, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of ammunition, possession of a semi-automatic firearm, kidnapping, possession of ammunition with intent to commit an offence and defeating the ends of justice.
The 16-year-old minor was granted bail of R1000 bail, in October 2021 and was left under the care of a guardian. Meanwhile, the other four were denied bail and will remain in police custody until the matter is completed. According to a police report, the two deceased officers attended a stock theft incident in Mareestane, however, the pair failed to return to the station and were declared missing.
A search operation was subsequently conducted, and their remains were later discovered at the back of their burnt state vehicle on 27 July 2021, in Ganyesa. Upon arrest, police discovered the deceased firearm, two cellphones as well as SIM cards that were destroyed and thrown in a pit toilet, at the home of one of the accused.
