EDENBURG: The wheel of justice continues to grind slowly for three victims of alleged brutal assault by eight police officers in Edenburg early in 2017. The never-ending criminal trial against the officers was postponed to February 2026, with the proceedings set to continue on the 20th and 27th of that month. The matter was heard in the Edenburg Magistrates’ Court on Friday 17 October.
The postponement extends the complainants’ wait for justice: Molato Mahlose, Velile Chaka and Lerato Mokotso. It emerged that the accused have been exchanging attorneys during the proceedings, resulting in postponements.
The officers standing accused are constables:
L.V. Motale, M.J. Ningi, R.S. Masebo, L.J. Titisi,
H.D. Malibo, T. Sefali and T.E. Mosia, as well as
T.E. Kholomba, who has since resigned from the SAPS.
The remaining seven accused are still reporting for duty in the two Free State towns – Edenburg and Trompsburg.
The victims have expressed dismay at the repeated postponements, more than seven years since the case was enrolled.
One witness, a woman, last testified in August last year.
“We have been waiting for the state to finalise the matter. This matter has inconvenienced us, as some of us are unable to move on with our lives,” said Mokotso.
The eight police officers stand accused of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm after an incident on the N1 on 2 October 2017. The complainants sustained severe physical injuries. The assault of the three victims reportedly took place at a roadblock, while a woman who accompanied the men was spared.
The three men and the woman had been travelling in a courier bakkie from Trompsburg, after being picked up while hitchhiking. The courier was headed for Gauteng. The victims were released from custody after the officers realised that they had wrongfully arrested them.
An investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) revealed that the officers suspected the men had been the armed robbers who had targeted a business in Trompsburg, local furniture store, earlier the same day.
“IPID has completed its investigation into the matter, hence it is now before the court,” said Phaladi Shuping, provincial spokesperson for IPID.”
“The delays are from the side of the accused, who changed lawyers and, at some point, called in sick when they had to appear before court.
“This court process is beyond the IPID, and its responsibility at the moment is to ensure that the witnesses are in court on the day of the appearance and that the docket is at court. This has been done by the investigator,” said Shuping.
