Lawman Tumi Mokwena acquitted of attempted murder charges
Tumi Mokoena was on Tuesday acquitted of four counts of attempted murder, in the Polokwane High Court.
POLOKWANE – Judge Ephraim Makgoba found Mokwena not guilty, ruling he had acted in self-defence, even though the State Prosecutor, Johann Kotze argued that Mokoena’s life was not threatened at the time of the incident.
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Mokoena was arrested on four counts of attempted murder in June 2017 after consultations with six clients on the Zebediela Citrus Estate.
A group of workers armed with stones and sticks allegedly confronted Mokoena, accusing him of failing to pay workers while he himself had been part of the farm’s management the previous year. When workers allegedly blocked his way when he tried to leave, Mokoena fired shots, resulting in the injuring of four employees.
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He fled the scene, leaving behind his cell phone and other personal belongings.
During an interview with Mokoena following the court case, he said he was greatly relieved that it was over.
The case was postponed to the High Court in June last year. Mokoena said when the case was moved to the High Court he was satisfied that justice would prevail and he was calm about the outcome.
He said he still could not see why a case was opened, as there was objective evidence to the contrary.
“The police were at the scene within five minutes of the incident, there were broken windows and sticks and stones everywhere. They spoke to five people who were on the scene who told them what had happened. I acted in self-defence. The police rushed in to charge me. It seems the state favours people who seem to have gotten the worst.”
Mokoena was released on R10 000 bail following the shooting incident, and also filed a counter claim against those who attacked him during the incident.
No one has since been charged or arrested in this case.
