POLOKWANE – The owner of the popular Limpopo Anti-Drug, Gangsterism and Crime (LADGAC) rehabilitation centre, Philemon Moloto, is now facing 9 charges after additional counts were added in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi, confirmed that Moloto appeared in court facing 7 new charges.

The new charges include five counts of attempted murder, arson and trespassing.

This is in addition to the two initial counts of malicious damage to property he was facing, Malabi pointed out.

Case postponed

The matter was postponed to October 30 for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to decide whether the case should be heard in the regional court or high court in Polokwane.

Previously released on R50 000 bail

Moloto, also known popularly as Mr Moloto, was initially released on R50,000 bail after his first appearances in the Seshego and Polokwane Magistrate’s Courts in early July.

The state did not oppose bail. Senior Public Prosecutor Kgaogelo Lekoloane told the court Moloto has no previous convictions or pending warrants, but asked for strict conditions:

• That he reports twice a week at Polokwane Police Station
• Does not renew his passport
• Has no contact with complainant Patricia “Lebo” Rachidi, her family, her business or anyone associated with her

From partners to complainants

According to the NPA, Moloto and Rachidi were previously in a romantic relationship and were business partners at the LADGAC centre in Seshego. After the relationship and business ended, Rachidi established her own centre, LADGAC Lebo.

It is alleged that on June 28, around 4:30 AM, Moloto poured a flammable substance onto Rachidi’s Toyota Hilux double cab while it was parked at her parents’ home in Seshego Zone 3. Seven people were sleeping inside the house at the time.

In a separate incident along Dendron Road in Ladanna, he allegedly set fire to a signboard advertising Rachidi’s new rehabilitation business.

Authorities estimate the damage at about R800 000.

Arrest and investigation

Moloto was arrested at his home in Welgelegen days later. His seven-seater SUV was also confiscated for allegedly being used in the commission of the crime.

Outside the Seshego court during his first appearance, supporters of LADGAC Lebo demonstrated, saying the matter should be viewed in the context of gender-based violence.

The investigation is led by Warrant Officer Vivian Gafane.

This article has been amended to reflect 9 charges instead of 11.