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By Citizen Reporter

Journalist


Themane murder suspect’s charges dropped

Themane died after being assaulted and dragged through the streets of Flora Park.


One of the adults accused of involvement in the murder of Thoriso Themane has had his charges dropped, eNCA reports.

Themane was assaulted and dragged through the streets in Flora Park over two weeks ago. A video showing that went viral on social media, causing outrage.

At the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court one suspect was acquitted on Monday, with two other suspects applying for bail, which the state says they won’t be opposing.

Seven school pupils and three adults were arrested. The adults, aged between 36 and 37, appeared separately to the schoolchildren.

It was reported last week that a tenth teenager believed to be involved in the brutal murder of Thoriso Themane has been arrested.

eNCA reported that the 13-year-old was taken to the Polokwane police station by his parents on Friday, and is due to appear in court on Monday.

READ MORE: ALSO READ: Cele says he wants ‘special punishment’ for Thoriso Themane’s killers

“The provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service [SAPS] in Limpopo Lt-Gen Nneke Ledwaba is elated by the continued sterling efforts manifested by the detectives involved in the investigation of the brutal murder of Thoriso when the tenth suspect was apprehended,” spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said in a statement.

“The teenager is a scholar at the local agricultural school and a resident in the vicinity where the crime was committed,” Mojapelo said.

28-year-old Themane was allegedly murdered by a group of pupils, some of which were reportedly from Capricorn High School in Limpopo, last month.

The case shocked the country as videos of the murder circulated on social media, and one of the suspects boasted that his father, a policeman, would protect him.

The attack took place in Flora Park, a leafy suburb near the central business district of Polokwane, last weekend. According to the police’s information, Themane had been arguing with the group of pupils who were at the school over the weekend.

They then allegedly brutally assaulted him, throwing stones and dragging him on to a public road, while several recorded videos and cracked jokes during the assault. The bruised and bloody Themane was later discovered by motorists, who called the police.

He was laid to rest two weekends ago.

Reports have been received that a second suspect in the case may have had charges dropped and we are awaiting confirmation from police as to whether or not this is the case.

UPDATE: Details amended 15:07 Monday 11 March. 

(Compiled by Daniel Friedman and Nica Schreuder)

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