Case withdrawn against Motsepe

POLOKWANE – The charge of common assault against former MEC for cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs, Clifford Motsepe, was provisionally withdrawn in the Polokwane magistrate’s court on Tuesday.

Motsepe allegedly assaulted his wife, Matshelane Irene Motsepe in October last year.

The alleged incident took place at their home in the city.

This was Motsepe’s third appearance and his trial was scheduled to start, but the complainant decided to withdraw the case and was not present in court.

The state prosecutor, Kwena Swartland, was not aware that the complainant had decided to withdraw the charge against her husband, until Motsepe’s lawyer, Tumi Mokwena explained the matter to the court in his opening statement.

Magistrate Roselie Pasquale asked for the case to stand down, to allow Swartland to confirm with the investigating officer whether the complainant had withdrawn the case or not.

When the court adjourned for 15 minutes, Motsepe had words with the investigating officer for not telling the prosecutor before court started about his wife’s decision.

“The woman called you and said she is withdrawing. Why are you lying to the court?” Motsepe said to the investigating officer.

When court resumed Swartland requested that the case be postponed as there was no withdrawal statement from the complainant and she was not in court because her vehicle had broken down.

Mokwena opposed the state’s request and Pasquale decided there was no reason for a postponement and provisionally withdrew the case against Motsepe.

Motsepe did not want to give comment on the matter.