09 Aug 2023

The Extension II Magistrate’s Court has ordered that a motor vehicle that was impounded and used as an exhibit in a narcotic drugs trafficking case be returned to its owner.

The motor vehicle was confiscated in June and is an exhibit in a case in which its owner, Moabi Mpho Ranyere, and 10 others are on trial for trafficking narcotic drugs.

Appearing before Magistrate Queen Moenga, Ranyere’s attorney, Mr Kabelo Nkwe requested the court to allow the accused person to have his vehicle so as to continue with the daily chores of his life. 

He decried that investigation into the matter was taking too long, and requested that to avoid further inconvenience to his client, he should be allowed to have his vehicle which can still be recalled as an exhibit when the case gets under way.

The investigating officer, Ms Kenna Nchiche, informed the court that some gadgets belonging to the accused persons had been sent for cyber forensics, while she is still to record the statements of other witnesses. She committed to ending the investigation by the end of October. Magistrate Moenga ordered that the vehicle be released to Ranyere under the condition that he will not alter it in any way, dispose of it, or sell it to anyone. 

She further ruled that the travel documents of another accused, Nelson Mmereki, be released to him.

The accused persons were ordered to report to the police on the first day of every month or, if the date falls on a weekend, on the last Friday of the preceding month or the first Monday of the new month.

Nelson Mmereki (42), Katlego Diboko (31), Boago Ramarumo (22), Keabetswe Seatla Moemele (42), Moabi Mpho Ranyere (43), Tshepo Matshaba (30), Mgucigi Phindukathula Dlamini (36), Lesego Bagatsu (34), Kemoitsile Kopano (37), Katholo Molapo (44) and Phenyo Setshwantsho (31) are accused of acting jointly and in concert to unlawfully traffic dagga, a narcotic substance.

The accused persons will appear for mention on November 9. ends