By Teboho Moloi
QWAQWA- Dikwena Secondary School Principal Joseph Nhlapo and nine community members appeared before the Phuthaditjhaba magistrate court on Tuesday May 20, 2025 on alleged murder of Mpho Mokoena.
The ten are accused of murdering Mpho Mokoena (27), who was allegedly linked to a burglary and theft of school feeding scheme food at Dikwena secondary school.
The school headmaster Nhlapo ,Thabiso Donald, Sello Keletso , Jabulane Borotho ,Joseph Mabe, Mantwa Mahlatsi , Nthabiseng Leeto, Dija Millwa ,Lucia Tladi and Mpho Miya were arrested in connection of the murder.
According to Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, it is alleged by an eyewitness that the man was handcuffed and assaulted.
“The lifeless body of Mokoena was found covered with blankets on a wheelbarrow and was declared dead by emergency medical services personnel on the scene near the school premises on Friday May 16th 2025.” Explained Mophiring.
The packed magistrate court by department of education officials, both accused and deceased’s family members including friends heard that the state will oppose the release of all accused on bail and that they further intend to add a charge of murder with common purpose which might change the charge to be murder schedule 6.
Family spokesperson Matsholedi Mokoena said they are saddened of Mpho’s death and pleaded for law to take its cause and justice be served.
Mokoena said as family they heard that Mpho was accused of stealing electricity cables.
Left to right: Monyake Mohomane, Matsholedi Mokoena, kolakola Mokoena plea for harsh sentence for those who killed their nephew.
“Despite what he was accused of, in this country a suspect is innocent until proven guilty by the courts of law. When caught the suspect is handed over to the police, so why was he killed?” queried Mokoena.
On the other hand Mpho’s uncle, Monyake Mohomane called for harsh sentence to the accused and that they be denied bail by the court.
Mohomane said what hurts him most is that his nephew was badly assaulted and tortured for hours before he was killed by people who had no evidence whether he did what they were accusing him of.
“Before he was killed, some of the people pretending to be police officers came to his home looking for him. They found him at a certain carwash, took him by force to the school yard where they assaulted him handcuffed” said Mohomane.
The matter has been postponed to Friday 23 May 23rd 2025 for the accused to make their formal bail application.
All accused except accused number five Joseph Mabe, are represented by one legal practioner Kaibe Kaibe and Mabe represented by Senoge who also told the court that he has a previous conviction .
Despite allegations that some of the accused were masquerading as police officers, Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson Phaladi Shuping told The Guard that IPID is not investigating any matter against police officials linked to this murder case.
Shuping said the case is investigated by the South African police service because no service members are involved.
He added that those arrested are civilians but two pretended to be police officers.
