The case against a well-known businessman from Madombidza, Prince Mulalo Ludere, was yet again postponed on Monday, 19 September. This time he was present in the Louis Trichardt Regional court.

Ludere recently made headlines when police wanted to question him on single counts of rape and attempted murder that were brought against him by a local woman. These cases were later withdrawn against him.

The 40-year-old Ludere appeared in the Louis Trichardt Regional Court on Monday, together with five co-accused, on a charge of the illegal possession of a firearm. He appeared with Tsepo Moepi (39) of Seshego, Alfred Nkuna (40) of Mamelodi, Lesetja Reuben Moloto (39) of Polokwane, Christopher Maleka of Polokwane and Jeffrey Nnkwamato Maphala (45) also of Mamelodi. Maphala, however, was not present. No explanation regarding his whereabouts could be provided.

Their appearance follows Moepi and Nkuna’s arrest in December last year. According to information available, the two were arrested after local police received a tip-off regarding a planned robbery. This led to the pair’s arrest near Eltivillas on December 28 last year. When the police searched the vehicle they were driving, they found two unlicensed 9mm pistols.

Moepi and Nkuna implicated their co-accused, who was subsequently arrested. All of them were released on bail and their case was postponed until July 25. It was during this court appearance that Maphala and Ludere failed to appear in court “due to medical reasons.” Warrants for their arrest were issued but held over by the court to give them time to hand in a doctor’s certificate as proof that they were sick.

All six men were warned to have their funds and instructions to their legal representatives in order. Their case was postponed until October 4.