![vmexsa logo [front]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyNTYwIDM5OCIgd2lkdGg9IjI1NjAiIGhlaWdodD0iMzk4IiBidi1pbWctdXJsPSJodHRwczovL3ZtZXguY28uemEvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzL2FsX29wdF9jb250ZW50L0lNQUdFL3ZtZXguY28uemEvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjMvMDYvY3JvcHBlZC1jcm9wcGVkLWNyb3BwZWQtZnJvbnQtMS1zY2FsZWQud2VicC5idi53ZWJwIiBidi1yZXNpemVkLWluZm9zPSJORGd3TG5kbFluQTZORGd3S2pjMU96Z3lNQzUzWldKd09qZ3lNQ294TWpjN01UVXpOaTUzWldKd09qRTFNellxTWpNNSI+PC9zdmc+)
The National Prosecuting Authority says charges against a minor withdrawn as he has turned state witness as murder trial commences.
The trial case against the four men who are charged for the murder of two police officers in Mareetsane commenced at the North West high court in Mahikeng on Tuesday.
Benjamin Jacobs (42), Jeremiah Mongale (26), Rapulana Keikantse (25), and Matthews Modukane (20), are charged with the murder of Constable Simon Ngakaemang Ntsekeletsa (50) and Sergeant Mojalefa Horatius Molete (42) in 2021.
They are also facing charges of malicious damage to property, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of ammunition, possession of a semi-automatic firearm, kidnapping, possession of ammunition with intent to commit an offence, and defeating the ends of justice.
ALSO READ: Four dead, four injured in a shootout in Port Shepstone
The state has decided to withdraw the charges against the 16-year-old, who is the son of one of the accused persons.
He has since turned state witness and he took the stand and testified of how things unfolded on the day leading to the murder of the two officers.
The four had previously submitted a guilty plea proposal, which was rejected by the state.
The National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Henry Mamothame said, the two deceased officers attended a stock theft incident in Mareestane, however, the pair failed to return to the station and were declared missing.
“A search operation was subsequently conducted, and their remains were later discovered at the back of their burnt state vehicle on 27 July 2021, in Ganyesa.
“Upon arrest, police discovered the deceased firearm, two cellphones as well as SIM cards that were destroyed and thrown in a pit toilet, at the home of one of the accused.
“The four are currently in police custody as they were denied bail. Their attorneys are expected to cross-examine the 16-year-old witness when the trial resumes,” Mamothame explained.
The case has been rolled over to Wednesday for further trial.
