28 Jun 2016

Chief Magistrate Faith Dlamini-Ngandu has convicted a 26-year-old man of Ranta ward in Molepolole  of two offences.

Rapula Matlhatso, who has been on bail, was remanded in custody awaiting sentencing on July 7. 

Matlhatso was, on October 2013 in Molepolole, shot in the leg by the police for obstructing their work and subsequently injuring a police officer on duty.

The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent Seth Tau said the accused had not yet been fingerprinted.

Assistant Superintendent Tau said the prosecution would provide the court with his previous convictions if any in the next hearing. 

When asked if there was anything he wanted to say, Matlhatso requested to be given time to get proceeds of the house he had been building.

He also pleaded with the court  not to remand him as he had been coming to court whenever he was ordered to.

According to the charge sheet, Matlhatso was charged with rescuing a legally arrested person, a certain Madonna Dirang on October 13, 2013 at Ranta ward.

 In the second count, he was charged with assaulting and injuring a police officer on duty, one constable Dumizweni Ndlovu by stabbing him with a knife on the  lower lip. Ends