25 Feb 2019

 The suspect in Friday’s gruesome murder of 33-year-old Ms Boipelo Mpolokang at her workplace was February 25  arraigned before Molepolole Magistrate Nthabiseng Merafhe -Tladi.

Kabo Motlhabane, 35, commonly known as ‘Sebente’ and on the run since the incident but eventually arrested on Sunday around 9 pm by Engen Filling Station, is expected back in court on March 11.

State prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent Uyapo Koketso appealed to Magistrate Merafhe-Tladi to have the accused remanded in custody as investigations were still at the initial stage.  
In addition, he said most of the witnesses could not come forth because they were still traumatised by the gruesome murder while they also feared for their lives as the suspect had still been at large.
According to the charge sheet read in court, Motlhabane is facing two counts, one of murder and the other of threat to kill.  

Particulars of the offence indicate that the accused person on or about February 22, at or near Borakalalo Ward in Molepolole, murdered Ms Mpolokang.

On the threat to kill offence, the particulars are that on the same day, the accused, without lawful excuse caused Maemo Tiro to receive a threat when he uttered the words “o bona wena mo two weeks ke tlaa bo ke go bolaile kana o mpolaile,” meaning “in two weeks’ time I would have killed you or you would have killed me,” or words to that effect.

In an interview, Molepolole Station Commander Superintendent Lebani Burns said while on the run, the accused allegedly hijacked a car belonging to one Ramotswa who he forced to drive him around at his command.

“However Motlhabane ended up being apprehended after we got a tip off on his whereabouts,” he said.
Meanwhile, Superintendent Burns has confirmed that still on February 22, police shot and wounded a man mistaken to be Motlhabane after firing three warning shots at a local bar in Molepolole.

He said the man was rushed to Scottish Livingston Hospital where he was quickly transferred to Princess Marina Hospital for treatment.
The station commander said they were mobilising clusters for a massive meeting to be held at Molepolole main kgotla to map a way forward in response to gruesome murders bedeviling the village.
Since January to date, five murder cases had been recorded in the village, he said.ENDS