The accused appeared in the Northern Cape High Court on Tuesday. Picture: Sandi Kwon Hoo
JUDGMENT in the trial for the murder and robbery of businessman Piet Els continued in the Northern Cape High Court this week without one of the accused, who has fallen ill.
The accused - Morapedi Rankali, Montlalentwa Qhautse, Lizbeth Ndlala, Themba Lawrence Maja, Oupa Jeffrey Mahomane, Samson Mbokane and Jabulani Zuma - were on Tuesday found guilty on various charges, including murder, house robbery, housebreaking with intent to commit robbery, and the unlawful possession of firearms.
The incident took place in the early hours of January 24, 2018, when Els and his partner were brutally attacked on his farm outside Kimberley. During the attack, jewellery, diamonds, Kruger Rands, cellphones, and two firearms were stolen. Later that day, Els’ white Mercedes-Benz was found abandoned on the R31 road near Phuthanang.
Northern Cape High Court Judge Lawrence Lever handed down judgment in the absence of Mbokane, who had submitted a medical certificate. The judge ruled that delaying the matter any further would prejudice both the State and the co-accused, given that the trial has already spanned over three years.
Lever indicated that if the matter were delayed again, it would most likely be postponed indefinitely.
“We don’t know until when the matter would be postponed. It is in everyone’s interest that it should go on. The trial started in October 2021 and has a history of delays, such as accused and counsel falling ill, the withdrawal and replacement of legal representatives and the death of a defence counsel. These events were unforeseen and each had its effect on these proceedings,” Lever said.
The judge issued a warrant for Mbokane’s arrest after he failed to appear in court on Monday. However, he added that Mbokane did not appear to be a fugitive.
“Even if he is found, he is nine hours away from Kimberley, as he needs to travel from Mpumalanga,” Lever noted.
Mbokane’s legal representative, advocate Themba Dibe, explained that his client was “very sick”.
“He has difficulty walking as he has an abscess in his leg and is lying in bed,” said Dibe.
He did not object to the matter proceeding without Mbokane being physically present.