Only thing outstanding in Coligny case is identification parade, police tell court

One of the investigating officers in the case of the 16-year-old boy who was allegedly killed by two white males in Coligny, North West, Clement Kgorane, who is part of the investigating team in the case in question, said the only thing outstanding in the case was the identification parade.

During the cross examination at the Coligny Magistrates’ Court, Kgorane said a statement of a witness who claimed to have seen the accused allegedly throwing the deceased off their moving vehicle was obtained on April 23 at about midday.

Kgorane said the police had only one witness at this stage who claimed to have witnessed the incident. He said the arrest of the accused was based on the allegations contained in the affidavit by the witness. On Tuesday, Kgorane said he visited Coligny Police Station on April 24 as per an order from his superior.

Kgorane told the court that as soon as he arrived in Coligny, he noticed there was a violent protest. Asked if the community leaders he interacted with were part of the violent and destructive protest, Kgorane said he did not understand the question, saying while he was talking to them, the destruction of property was already happening and could not say if they were part of the violence.

“I cannot divorce the fact of the violence from the concerns that were raised by the police seeking answers from the police regarding the murder incident.

“I cannot say if there a common purpose between the community leaders and those who were destructing property,” he said.

The accused are seeking bail. Meanwhile, there is a strong police presence both inside and outside court.

If there was no concern from the community of Coligny following the death of the 16-year-old boy, there was no way community leaders would have visited the local police station, one of the investigating officers Clement Kgorane told the court. During his cross examination,  Kgorane said he only met with the community leaders and not with the protesters. He said he held only one meeting with the community leaders.

According to Kgorane, the community leaders asked why the accused had not been arrested. He said the community leaders were the ones who brought forward the witnessing stressing that he had not seen the docket are the time.

“Warrant Officer Seponkane was in possession of the docket at that time. The statement was taken on Sunday (April 23), and I only came to Coligny on the following day,” he said. Kgorane said the witness’ name was already in the docket.

Asked if there were any attempts to get hold of the witness before he came to the area, he said the case was still an inquest, and immediately after Warrant Officer Seponkane came back with the docket, it was changed to murder after the statement from the witness was obtained.

Kgorane said the case was registered on April 20 after the accused went to the police claiming that the deceased jumped off the moving vehicle.

The statement from the witnessed was obtained on April 23.