POLOKWANE – The in camera murder trial of Thoriso Themane has been postponed after it resumed in the Limpopo High Court, Polokwane Division on Tuesday, 6 April.
The trial of four minors and four adults in the murder of 27-year-old Themane was postponed to 6-9 July for further evidence, said Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi.
On Tuesday, 6 April child offender number one took the stand and denied that he assaulted the deceased but admitted he was on the scene of the crime. “He denied that he said the words “homeboy I will kill you’ and confirmed that Themane was kicked in the head while on a private premises in Flora Park.”
Kamo Mphele who spoke on behalf of the Thoriso Themane Foundation confirmed to Review that accused one was cross examined by the prosecution and defence on Wednesday and the first session on Thursday.
“When court adjourned for lunch on Thursday the defence asked the court for time to locate and subpoena the owner of the said premises to appear in court.
“After lunch accused number six was to testify and when he did not return to the courtroom the matter was rolled over to Friday.”
Today, the legal representative of accused six submitted a medical certificate which booked the accused off sick till 10 April.
Malabi-Dzhangi added that the accused will forfeit his bail if he does not appear in July.
The adults are currently out on bail and the minors are in parental custody.
6 April
POLOKWANE – The murder trial of Flora Park resident, Thoriso Themane continued in the Limpopo High Court, Polokwane Division on Tuesday, 6 April after it was postponed in January.
27-year-old Themane was murdered on 23 February 2019, allegedly by learners from a local school.
At the time the murder made headlines after a video of his brutal assault went viral. Eleven people were initially charged with the murder, whereby three turned state witness and one passed away.
Today in court, child offender number one took the stand and denied that he assaulted the deceased but admitted he was on the scene of the crime, said the Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi.
“He denied that he said the words “homeboy I will kill you’ and confirmed that Themane was kicked.”
In January, the first state witness (16) told the court how he was involved in the beating of Themane and implicated all other accused, while witness five and six relayed how they assaulted the deceased with open hand, kicked him with booted foot and hit him with bottles of alcohol.
Accused number one said Themane and was later left on the scene unconscious. The trial will continue on Wednesday, 7 April.
