He turned state witness and testified on how things unfolded on the day leading to the murder of the two police officers. The four previously submitted a guilty plea proposal, which was rejected by the state. North West National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Henry Mamothame gave details of the events during Tuesday's trial.

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“The High Court of South Africa, the North West Division, rolled over the case against the four men accused of killing two police officers in Mareetsane, to Wednesday 26 July 2023, for further trial. The state has withdrawn the charges against the 16-year-old, who is the son of one of the accused. He has turned state witness,” he said.

Benjamin Jacobs (42), Jeremiah Mongale (26), Rapulana Keikantse (25), and Matthews Modukane (20) are charged with the murder of two North West police officers, Simon Ngakaemang Ntsekeletsa (50) and Mojalefa Horatius Molete (42). The suspects also face charges of malicious damage to property, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of ammunition, possession of a semi-automatic firearm, kidnapping, possession of ammunition with intent to commit an offence, and defeating the ends of justice.

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Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili previously said the two deceased officers attended a stock theft incident in Mareetsane. They were later declared missing. A search operation was conducted and their remains were discovered at the back of their burnt state vehicle on 27 July 2021 in Ganyesa. 

Upon arrest, the police found the deceased firearm, two cellphones, and SIM cards that were destroyed and thrown in a pit toilet at the home of one of the accused.

OFM News previously reported the trial was set to start between 13 and 17 March 2023. But the matter was postponed on the first day to allow some defence attorneys to have final consultations with their clients. 

Meanwhile, the 16-year-old minor was granted bail of R1 000 in October 2021. The other four suspects were denied bail and will remain in police custody.

OFM News