Residents wait outside the Nebo Magistrate's Court. Photo: supplied
LIMPOPO – The 35-year-old man, arrested for the rape and murder of 11-year-old, Thandi Mampane, earlier today abandoned his bail application in the Nebo Magistrate’s Court, opting to remain in custody.
This, after angry residents, who had waited outside the court, clashed with police while attempting to grab the man. The state has since added two more charges including another rape charge and robbery, increasing his charge tally to five.
In attendance was the MEC for Community Safety, Dickson Masemola, who said he will stand by the family and the community as they seek justice.
The MEC for Community Safety and Transport, Dickson Masemola. Photo: supplied
According to the MEC’s spokesperson, Joel Seabi, the accused will next appear in court on 9 December to allow for further investigations and DNA results to be submitted.
Mampane’s body was found in bushes near Ga-Marishane village in the Nebo Policing area outside Groblesdal on Friday, 6 September, after she went missing the day before.
The man is facing charges of abduction, rape and murder.
Raeesa Sempe is a Caxton Award-winning Digital Editor with nine years’ experience in the industry. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand and started her journey as a community journalist for the Polokwane Review in 2015. She then became the online journalist for the Review in 2016 where she excelled in solidifying the Review’s digital footprint through Facebook lives, content creation and marketing campaigns. Raeesa then moved on to become the News Editor of the Bonus Review in 2019 and scooped up the Editorial Employee of the Year award in the same year. She is the current Digital Editor of the Polokwane Review-Observer, a position she takes pride in. Raeesa is married with one child and enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music and baking – when she has the time. “I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon." – Tom Stoppard
