Released on R5 000 bail

LIMPOPO – BAIL of R5 000 was granted to Polokwane City FC owner in the Mookgophong magistrate’s court on July 14.
Johnny Mogaladi appeared before the Mookgophong magistrate’s court on a charge of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm after one of the workers on his farm in Mookgophong opened a case against him, reported provincial police spokesperson, Col Ronél Otto.
According to a media statement by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in Limpopo, Abel Mokebe Lebese (44) was allegedly beaten with a bottle, broomstick and a piece of plank after  some sheep was found dead on the farm.
“Instead of taking the injured and bleeding Lebese to a hospital, Mogaladi is said to have locked him in a room with the dead sheep and later instructed him to cook for his dogs,” read the media statement.
In the statement, Gerald Mkhomazi Twala, Cosatu provincial secretary, said “they found it inhumane and evil that a respected person such as Mogaladi would treat his workers in such a manner”.
“We have instructed our Cosatu local structure to urgently visit the farm and inspect the living and working conditions of the workers with a view for further interventions to save them from further exploitation. We have noted that a police case was opened at the Lebowakgomo police station and we urge law enforcement agencies to do their work without fear or favour. We will follow the case to it’s logical conclusion to ensure justice is served to the poorest of the poor,” further read the statement.
According to a source, who did not wish to be named, after Lebese fled from the farm, he opened a case of assault at the Lebowakgomo police station after the local police station in Mookgophong failed to help him.
Otto told Bosveld on Tuesday that the case was opened at the Lebowakgomo police station, but has since been handed over to the Mookgophong police station, and a thorough investigation was on-going.
Cosatu stated that they would formally lay a complaint at the provincial commissioner of the SAPS on the treatment Lebese received at the Mookgophong police station and demanded action to be taken against any officer responsible.
“At the same time, we call on farm workers to come forward and report any ill-treatment or exploitation by their employers in the province,” Twala concluded in the statement.
Mogaladi’s case was postponed to July 30 for further investigation, Otto said. Mogaladi could not be reached for comment by the time Bosveld went to print.