Two appeared in court for alleged attempted murder, robbery, kidnapping and unlicensed firearms

Kevin Maponyane (31) and Tshepo Sois (27) appeared before the  Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (10 March 2022) on charges of attempted murder, robbery, kidnapping, two counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and another two counts of possession of ammunition, which were allegedly committed in Extension 7, Ikageng on Sunday (13 February 2022 at midnight).

According to Colonel Adele Myburgh, Police spokesperson, Maponyane and Sois allegedly found a 27-year-old man, who was visiting his friend in Extension 7 when he was confronted by one of the suspects, who demanded he (the man) pay back an alleged R300-00 he owed him.  “The victim reminded Maponyane about an HP laser printer worth R22 000-00 he gave him as collateral until he pays him back.  However, Maponyane and Sois allegedly assaulted the victim with sjamboks, sticks and a firearm. Thereafter, they took the victim and his friend’s cellular phones,” Myburgh said.

The duo then forcefully took the victim to Maponyane’s house where the alleged assault continued and the victim was later shot and allegedly forced to smoke and drink drugs. “The victim managed to escape and ran to the neighbours who called the police and paramedics. He was rushed to the hospital where he was admitted for serious injuries and discharged three days later,”  Myburgh explained.

The investigation led to the arrest of Maponyane and Sois on Wednesday, 16 February 2022 and they appeared in court but were remanded in custody. They are expected to re-reappear today (14 March 2022) for a formal bail application. At the time of the arrest,  Kevin Maponyane was on bail for two previous cases of murder, two counts of possession of an unlicensed firearm and two counts of possession of ammunition. His next appearance on the last-mentioned cases will be from Monday (30 May 2022) to Friday (3 June 2022) at the Klerksdorp High Court.

Meanwhile, Kevin’s father, 72-year-old Johannes Maponyane also appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court for the first time on Thursday (10 March 2022)  for defeating the ends of justice and corruption. He was arrested on Wednesday (9 March 2022) after an investigation revealed that he contacted one of the witnesses and requested the address of the complainant, but the witness did not want to accompany him to show him where the complainant stays. Maponyane Snr re-appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on Friday (11 March 2022) and was granted R2000.00 bail. His next court appearance is on Friday (1 April 2022).

Ikageng police would like to request anyone with information that can assist the police in this investigation to contact the Investigation Officer, Captain Hanlie Blignaut on 082 416 1015 or Lieutenant Colonel Jaycee Scholtz on 082 568 6264. All information will be handled with the strictest confidentiality.