Scagac urges NPA to speed up trial for Tshepo Rakoma’s murder
Scacag chairperson Vincent Kunutu says they feel that the matter is not being treated with the urgency it deserves and this subjects the family of Rakoma and other GBV victims to prolonged pain and a delay in their mourning period.
POLOKWANE – Seshego Community Against Crime and Gangsterism (Scacag) is worried that the justice system seems to be taking longer to get the Tshepo Rakoma murder case on trial.
The organisation had a meeting with the NPA on July 20 at the authority’s Polokwane offices to urge them to fasten proceedings to get the matter on trial and to equally empower prosecutors to argue strongly against the granting of bail and lesser sentences to persons accused of gender-based violence (GBV).
On July 12, murder accused Josias Leboho appeared before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court for the murder of Tshepo Rakoma (32) who was shot dead at a parking lot of a chain supermarket in the Polokwane city centre.
Read more: Details emerge of shooting incident in Polokwane CBD
Scacag chairperson Vincent Kunutu says they feel that the matter is not being treated with the urgency it deserves and this subjects the family of Rakoma and other GBV victims to prolonged pain and a delay in their mourning period.
NPA Limpopo spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi confirmed that the meeting took place and said the NPA was represented by Directorate of Public Prosecutions Limpopo advocate Mukhali Ivy Thenga and two deputy advocates Lethabo Mashiane and Adam Mohlala.
Malabi-Dzhangi says court proceedings cannot be concluded as lengthy or short for all cases are guided by their merits. She said the Tshepo Rakoma case has now been transferred to the High Court in Polokwane.
“The prosecution team is still busy with the indictment and the trial date will be announced soon,” said Malabi-Dzhangi.
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She refuted claims by Scacag that the Rakoma matter was transferred to the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court because the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court is inundated, “It is not possible for a matter to be moved from a district to a regional court. This matter will be moving to Limpopo High Court,” clarified Malabi-Dzhangi.
Kunutu says they feel empowered that the NPA was kind enough to explain complexities of court proceedings to them.
“We will now patiently wait for justice to be served and we hope they heard our cries because families need to move on and focus on healing”.
Josias Leboho is remanded in custody.
