POLOKWANE – The woman accused of splashing her boyfriend with cooking oil is today appearing before Seshego Magistrate’s Court for a possible bail application on a charge of attempted murder.

Her first appearance was on Thursday, December 11.

Details of the incident

Dorah Molokomme (28) reportedly burned her South African National Defence Force (SANDF) partner Moses Matodzi (38) last Thursday in Seshego.

The incident sparked widespread outrage and concern, particularly when it was revealed that the victim had attempted to open a case at Seshego Police Station but was denied by the police.

However, the police clarified that the two had initially decided to file protection orders against each other and not open cases until social workers advised them to do so, to which they agreed, said both provincial police commissioner Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe and Community Safety MEC Violet Mathye in respective statements.

Court arguments on charge classification

In court, the defence legal counsel requested that the current attempted murder offence be reduced to a Schedule 2 charge; however, the state argued for a Schedule 5 classification, citing that the victim had shown previous body injuries inflicted by the perpetrator.

Victim empowerment group, Lentswe Laka Foundation, told Bonus that they have urged the court not to overlook the matter or consider it as self-defence.

Founder, Maletsema Ramokone said all measures, facilities, centers, and education have been put in place to empower individuals to leave abusive relationships.

She spoke in light of the suspect’s allegation that the victim reportedly had abused him before.

“No one should take the law into their own hands. The perpetrator must face the full consequences of their actions. To the survivors: You are seen, you are heard, and you are believed. To the perpetrators: You will be held accountable for your actions,” she explained.