Thorisho Themane murder trial set to start on Monday

The murder trial of Flora Park resident, Thorisho Themane was expected to begin in the Polokwane High Court on Monday, but was postponed to 25 January.

Themane was murdered on 23 February 2019, allegedly by learners from a local school. The murder caused outrage with members of the community demanding justice be done and showing their discontent through night vigils, marches and protests across the city.

According to the Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the trial was postponed as the defence lawyer of accused number three is in quarantine due to Covid-19. Eleven people were initially charged with Themane’s murder. “Two of the accused are adults, while the other nine were minors at the time. Three of them have since turned of age. One of the minors passed away before the matter was moved to the high court and three others have turned state witness,” she explained.

Malabi-Dzhangi said the three minors who turned of age will now be tried as adults.

“The remaining two minors and five adults will appear in the high court again on 25 January when the murder trial resumes,” she concluded.

Kevin Phohotona from the Thorisho Themane Foundation says Covid-19 has become a challenge in the finalisation of the trial, but is hopeful that the trial will resume as scheduled.

“Themane’s legal team is confident that the trial will only require two weeks, but the positive Covid-19 tests from those involved have been the cause of delay.”