[WATCH] Case against Polokwane serial killer postponed to next year
Protesters gathered outside the Seshego Magistrate's Court earlier today calling for the court to not grant bail to the 34-year-old man accused of murdering seven local women.
11: 52
POLOKWANE –Â The case against a 36-year-old man accused of the murders of seven local women, will continue in January 2022.
The accused Themba Prince Willards Dube a Zimbabwean national, was initially arrested on November 3 for possession of a suspected stolen cellphone. He appeared in the Seshego Magistrate’s Court on November 5 on a charge of robbery and kidnapping, NPA Regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi explained.
“The accused was still in custody when police investigations led to the discovery of seven bodies of women, dumped at various locations in and around Polokwane.”Â
Today he appeared on seven counts of kidnapping and murder and his case was postponed to January 27 for further police investigations.
The Limpopo MEC for Social Development, Nkakareng Rakgoale, as well as councillors and activists from various political parties and groups are also in attendance.
Police investigations continue to determine if he can possibly be linked with other cases and appealed to anyone who might have a family member missing around Seshego, Mankweng, Lebowakgomo, Polokwane and surrounding areas to contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Joel Seroka, on 083 1010 499 or 0799943353.Â
10:00
POLOKWANE –Â Protesters gathered outside the Seshego Magistrate’s Court on Monday (November 15) morning calling for the man appearing in connection with the kidnapping and murder of seven local women, not to be granted bail.
Residents from Seshego and Polokwane came out in their numbers to urge the courts to oppose bail, while calling for justice to prevail. “Stop blaming the victim and act now,” reads one of the many posters being held up by protesters.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/521057/kidnapper-said-to-have-confessesed-charged/
The accused, a 34-year-old Zimbabwean national from Seshego, faces several counts of kidnapping, murder, rape, robbery and a charge of defeating the ends of justice. The victims are aged between 25 and 48 and were reported missing in the Seshego, Polokwane and Lebowakgomo areas respectively between August and October. The bodies of the victims were found in shallow graves at various locations in and around Polokwane.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo in an earlier statement said the victims have been positively identified by their next of kin. They include:
- 42-year-old Sarah Moitswadi Mathiba who was reportedly kidnapped in Lebowakgomo last month.
- 34-year-old Lesotho national Moleboheng Mothibeli who was reported missing in Polokwane in October.
- 41-year-old Eva Khomotso Makhura who was reported missing in Seshego in October.
- 34-year-old Mpho Sanah Sinyatsi who was reported missing from Luthuli Park Extension 9L under the Seshego policing area in October.
- 25-year-old Andrea Cholo who was reported kidnapped in Seshego in September.
- 48-year-old Chisimango Gumbo, a foreign national, who was reported missing in Seshego in August and;
- 42-year-old Letswalo whose body was found next to Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane in August.
The Limpopo MEC for Social Development, Nkakareng Rakgoale, as well as councillors and activists from various political parties and groups are also in attendance. Rakgoale joins the stance of the community calling for no bail, saying the justice system must deal harshly with perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide.
In an earlier statement she commended the police for the breakthrough in the case and added that she hoped that their investigation will ensure the wrath of the law is meted out against the perpetrator.
