18 Feb 2014

Lepokole Customary Court in the Bobirwa Sub-district, on February 13, condemned two men to five years imprisonment each for separate cases of stock theft.

The accused persons, Boikaego Shimane, 32, and Moemedi Moseki , 26, were sentenced by Kgosi Mooketsi Diphuphuphu for various cases of stealing goats belonging to Mr Maomela Masebe and Mr Bahenyi Sehemo both of Lepokole in the incidents that took place on February 9 this year.

In the case involving Shimane who appeared as the second accused, he was sentenced to a jail term for stealing four goats together with his accomplince Omphile Mapanda who was the first accused on the matter. The duo stole goats belonging to Mr Masebe and killed the other for meat.

Mapanda refused to be tried at the court and asked for his case to be tried at the magistrate court. According to the particulars of the offence the duo ferried the remaining three goats to Bobonong Customary Court to legalise their trade to unsuspecting butchery owners and were arrested by Bobonong police on February 10.

State prosecutor, Constable Otsile Botuli of Bobonong represented the state and produced exhibits before the court which the second accused Shimane did not contend and pleaded guilty to the charge.

On the same day, Kgosi Diphuphuphu also pronounced a five year jail term to Moemedi Moseki, 26, also from Lepokole for stealing and killing a goat belonging to Mr Maomela Masebe of the same village.

According to the particulars of the offence the accused stole the goat together with his 15-year-old accomplice who turned a state witness  on February 9 and Constable Jonas Future of Bobonong Police represented the state.

When passing judgement Kgosi Diphuphuphu expressed concern of escalating stock theft cases in the area where criminals raid people’s kraals to steal their animals.

Kgosi Diphuphuphu said there was need for the law to take its cause and sentenced to a jail term while the other accused Mr Mapanda case would be arraigned before the magistrate court. ENDS