Girl among initial murder suspects

As the community is still reeling with shock following the gruesome death of Thorisho Themane, the news that a girl was initially among the initial nine suspects arrested is equally disturbing to those affected by a case that has led to large scale focus turning to a teenage gang allegedly feared for their reported sins.
Last Thursday five teenage suspects were due to appear when the details of another was being processed to be joined to the charge sheet in the case of murder during their first appearance at Polokwane Magistrate’s Court, amid an emotional mass of community members gathering in the main street outside. Then on Monday the names of three more adult males were added and they appeared for the cases to be postponed to 11 and 14 March respectively. It was learnt that there is no relation between the minor and adult accused persons.
Upon a directive from the Director of Public Prosecutions the names of the adult accused are being withheld at this stage, indicated Provincial Police Communications Head Motlafela Mojapelo.
Apart from standing trial for Themane’s murder, one of the teenagers is being investigated for a case of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm against another victim in Polokwane in December, confirmed Mojapelo. According to Mojapelo the teenage accused are attached to Capricorn High School and Flora Park Comprehensive High School, to which the girl who was released is attached.
Despite screen grabs taken from a video clip, allegedly portraying a further similar incident in Polokwane in December, published by Polokwane Observer on the front page of last week’s edition along with information by a fourth victim claimed to have been attacked by the same gang prior to that the Police in the province maintained that only two incidents were under investigation.
From the onset contradicting information about the circumstances of Themane’s death and the scene of crime has been received and the Themane family requested Polokwane Observer to refer to the version of the Police. In response to the particular question Mojapelo explained that Themane had been attacked at Flora Park Dam last Saturday evening.
“We may not dwell much on the nature of the attack as it borders on evidence that is likely to be adduced in court, except to say the attack was indeed brutal.” Mojapelo continued saying: “He was not discovered. The owner of the house whose premises the victim ran to called an ambulance and he was then taken to hospital.”
In the meantime the aftermath of the video compilation, containing explicit content seemingly revealing the attack on Themane, that went viral last weekend was further characterised by concerned community members meeting on Wednesday evening, a march to Polokwane Police station on Friday and a funeral service for the deceased at Jack Botes hall on Saturday. According to information the hall at Capricorn High School was packed last week when parents of learners, some reportedly not affiliated to the school, gathered for a meeting. The next meeting was scheduled for yesterday (Wednesday) evening.
According to information the learner who had reportedly sent on the video compilation to Themane’s cousin for the truth about the young man’s death to be known is still attending school, while his safety beyond approaching the Police for protection last week could not be guaranteed.
A source summarised the effects of Themane’s death by conceding that the events have united a community, irrespective of political affiliation. She simultaneously elaborated by saying the community was angry with the Police for not having made arrests last year already following a previous incident. “In this case our Police have failed the community. If they have arrested the suspects last year, we wouldn’t have been here today.”

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YOLANDE NEL
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RC Myburgh
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