By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – MAP16 Civic Movement leader Paratlane Motloung and an associate have been granted bail of R2000, following their appearance in the Phuthaditjhaba magistrate court on Monday 11 November 2024 on charges of assault.
Motloung was arrested on 10 November on allegations of kidnapping and assault stemming from an incident on 24 October. During the hearing, the kidnapping charge was dropped, though the assault charge remains.
The case arose when a young man claimed he was forcibly taken and assaulted after allegedly stealing a speaker and gas cylinder from Motloung’s residence.
According to Warrant officer Mmako Mophiring’s police report the complainant stated he was playing with friends when a Mercedes Benz without registration plates approached, and four individuals, two of whom he recognized, allegedly forced him into the car, drove him to Mabolela village, and assaulted him with a sealed bottle and pick-axe handle.
“The young man reportedly sustained injuries to his face and arm and received treatment at a local hospital,” Mophiring stated.
Paratlane Motloung out on bail for assault.
However, MAP16 central coordinator Azael Nhlapo has continued to defend Motloung’s actions, stating he was only acting in response to a burglary and cooperated with law enforcement. Nhlapo explained that Motloung, frustrated by perceived delays from the police, brought the suspect to the station along with the stolen items. “Can handing over a suspect to the police constitute kidnapping? Is it assault to retrieve stolen property from a suspected thief?” Nhlapo questioned.
In a statement following the court decision, MAP16 celebrated Motloung’s release on bail and expressed confidence in his eventual vindication. Declaring that this is a victory for justice and truth, adding that the court’s decision to drop the kidnapping charge highlights the baseless nature of these accusations.
The case is set to resume on 13 January 2025, with MAP16 maintaining support for Motloung and calling for a fair and transparent legal process.
