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Magistrate Spiwo Mazwi has found the former police officer MacKenzie Ratselane guilty of attempted murder and the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The other charge of kidnapping was dropped. Magistrate Mazwi has since remanded Ratselane in jail and postponed the matter to 12 and 13 April for sentencing.

Mazwi shed light on how the former cop and estranged husband had intentions to murder the public broadcaster's Lesedi FM presenter, Folotsi, with the evidence furnished before the court by the state. He said the evidence was sufficient to prove that he was in possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Ratselane stood accused of attempted murder, kidnapping, and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm.

He was arrested on 16 February 2021 at an informal settlement in Ennerdale, Gauteng, after he was on the run for six days following the brutal attack on Folotsi.

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Folotsi suffered stab wounds to her body, including her chest, face, and her tongue.

It's alleged that Ratselane stabbed Folotsi in February 2021 in Bloemfontein, where she was later found at the Caleb Motshabi informal settlement, lying in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds. Ratselane and Folotsi allegedly quarrelled on their way to fetch their children in Phase 2.

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The accused previously told the court that he was willing to plead guilty to other charges except for the attempted murder of his ex-wife. Folotsi was found bloodied and stabbed multiple times in Caleb Motshabi in Bloemfontein by residents who then alerted the police.

Ratselane previously abandoned bail during his second court appearance in February 2021 but made a sudden about-turn a few months later.

During his bail attempt, Ratselane told the court that he did not flee from the might of law or tried to evade his arrest. He said he simply left for Gauteng to seek counsel from his elders to fix what he termed as marital issues with Folotsi.

The attack on Folotsi has since drawn a wide condemnation with political parties voicing their concerns about gender-based violence.

The EFF, which has consistently been supporting and protesting outside the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court, previously asked for a harsh penalty against Ratselane.

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Former EFF provincial chairperson, Mandisa Makesini, told OFM News the party noticed that the province features prominently on the police ministry's red flag crime statistics.

She said these incidents have been experienced mainly in three different areas in the province, which includes Matjhabeng in Welkom, Botshabelo, and Qwaqwa.

Makesini further criticised the law enforcement agencies, including the police and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), for allegedly failing to put more effort into curbing the scourge.

OFM News