MOPANI – Three men, aged between 21 and 35, will appear in the Bolobedu Magistrates’ Court today, Friday, October 7, on charges of murder and armed robbery. The case is related to an incident that took place at the Madubung village in the Bolobedu area during the night of July 27.

According to the spokesperson for the police in the Mopani Area, Capt Maano Sadiki, it is alleged that the deceased, Patrick Kgasane Lebea (41), was sleeping in his house during the night of the incident. The statement indicates that the suspects broke into the deceased’s house.

They allegedly robbed the deceased off his cellphone and a large amount of cash before shooting and killing him. They later fled and vanished into the darkness. The deceased was laid to rest a week later but the police did not allow the case to rest. They finally made a breakthrough on Sunday, September 19, when they arrested the suspects at different places. According to the police statement, the arrests were the result of the good relationship between them and the local community members.

The suspects, Thabiso Moloto (21), Tshepo Sefora (35) and Tshili Matlala (29), briefly appeared in the same court on Wednesday, September 21. They were not asked to plead and the case was remanded until today. Their bail application was turned down. The police are investigating the matter further.