The Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court has turned down the bail application of three suspects arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Moeketsi Selemela (46). The suspects, Thabiso Lemphane (41), Lehlohonolo Karai (21), and Tebatso Selemela (41) are remanded in custody until 10 October when their second bail application will be heard in court.
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 conspiracy in the kidnapping and murder of Selemela.
In attendance were family members of the deceased and his wife, including members of the Centre City Titanium Athletics Club.
Charges against the suspects are murder, house robbery, kidnapping and motor vehicle theft.
The estranged wife of the slain athlete and the two men appeared together for the first time after brief appearances last week on Wednesday and Friday. They were arrested between 19 and 23 September in Bloemfontein, following an ongoing investigation by the provincial police’s organised crime unit.
Selemela was found dead in the rear seat of his Toyota Hilux bakkie following his kidnapping and murder on 17 July. A bullet wound was discovered on his body. The vehicle was found parked on the N1 road, outside Bloemfontein.
Selemela’s murder allegedly started with a robbery whereby one suspect demanded money from the deceased’s wife, Tebatso, at gunpoint.
The killers apparently only took his cellphone and abandoned his vehicle.
