Application for bail by the three suspects linked to the murder of athlete Moeketsi Selemela (46) is set to be heard again in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday (14/10).
The hearing restarted on Monday (10/10) after the state had turned down the first bail application on 28 September.
The suspects, Thabiso Lemphane (41), Lehlohonolo Karai (21) and Moeketsi’s estranged wife Tebatso Selemela (41) are remanded in custody since their arrest on 19 and 23 September.
The initial bail application was turned down on the grounds that the investigation was still ongoing and that the state was yet to obtain crucial information from a witness; this witness is a minor. The state also cited the suspicion of conspiracy in the kidnapping and murder. Charges against the suspects are murder, house robbery, kidnapping and motor vehicle theft.
The accused have different backgrounds in terms of employment. Tebatso has been unemployed for more than a year, while the two men claim to be working for different companies in the freight industry.
The first suspect, Thabiso, was heard on Monday. He claimed he had been assaulted during arrest by the police. Friday’s hearing for bail is set to continue with the second and third suspect, respectively.
Moeketsi was found dead in his bakkie after his kidnapping on 17 July. A bullet wound was discovered on his body. The vehicle was found parked on the N1 road, outside Bloemfontein.
The sequence of events that allegedly led up to Moeketsi’s murder started with a robbery in which one suspect armed with a gun demanded money from Tebatso.
Motaung Attorneys represents Thabiso, while Fixane Attorneys represents Lehlohonolo and Tebatso.
Moeketsi was a member of the Centre City Titaniums Athletics Club.
