18 July 2014
Murder suspect held in custody Lizzy Bapela
Kakashi Mhlongo is expected to appear in court soon for murder. Photo supplied
The suspect in the murder of the late Michael Molekoa is expected to appear before the Bela Bela Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 21 July. The suspect, Kakashi Mhlongo, was arrested following an incident at the informal settlement between Extension 5 and 8 on 12 June. Bela Bela police spokesperson Constable Glen Manamela said that the deceased was on his way from a local tavern when the suspect quarreled with him on the day in question. She said that the suspect, who according to information received had an accomplice, attacked and assaulted the ceased, demanding that he give them his phone and money. Constable Manamela further said that the suspect stabbed the victim with a knife on the lower right side and was rushed to the Bela Bela Hospital after sustaining serious injuries. She added that the deceased was rushed to Polokwane Provincial Hospital, where he died.
According to information received, the suspect ran home after the incident and informed his sister about it, without identifying the suspects. The sister called the Emergency Medical Services personnel, who responded swiftly and rushed the victim to the hospital. Lieutenant-Colonel Abel Phetla of the Bela Bela police said that the police received a tip-off from members of the community which led to the arrest of the suspect. He added that during an interview with the police, the suspect denied having an accomplice when committing the crime, saying that he acted alone. The suspect made his first court appearance on Friday, 11 July and appeared again in court on Monday, the 14th for application legal representation. He was remanded in custody and Legal Aid approved his application and will be representing him when he will be appearing in court on Monday, 21 July.
Miraculous escape for 16 people in car accident Justin Steyn What was could have been a horrific accident, turned out into a miraculous turn of events. On the night of Thursday 3 July a taxi transporting sixteen passengers was travelling on the R516 highway on route to Settlers when it was involved in an accident with a truck travelling in front of
it. According to the Tromar EMS spokesperson, Gerrit Reynders, the accident occurred “The truck’s trailer loosened and struck the taxi travelling behind it... when the truck in question’s trailer loosened and collided with the front of the taxi. “The truck’s trailer loosened and struck
the taxi travelling behind it. The front part of the taxi was forced back on impact when it was struck”, he said. Reynders said that Tromar Paramedics attended to the scene but no serious injuries or fatalities were reported. Spokesperson of the Bela Bela police service, Glen Manamela, said that no case has been opened against either parties.