| 2024/10/29 |
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Media Statement POLOKWANE – Three suspects, Victor Mashakeng 49, an ex-police officer, Sergeant Herbet Modiba 46 and Oupa Baker Lebogo 48, made a brief court appearance at Seshego District court on Monday, 28 October 2024 on charges of kidnapping, murder and defeating the ends of justice. They were remanded in custody until 15 November 2024 and 10 Dec 2024 respectively for further investigations. Oupa Baker Lebogo who had been on the run from police was arrested during a well-coordinated operation on Friday, 25 October 2024, in Moletji Mabokelele by members of the Provincial Tracking Team and Murder and Robbery Unit. The team received information on the wanted suspect and followed up on the information and managed to arrest the suspect Oupa Baker Lebogo, 48, who was in his hideout house. It is alleged that on Thursday, 06 June 2023, a number of suspects, including Oupa kidnapped and murdered, Steven Mathebula 55, and buried his body in a shallow grave. A missing person file was initially opened, and after a lengthy investigations, the inquiry was turned into a murder docket, and suspects were charged. Two more suspects are already in custody after being charged with several serious and violent crimes, which were committed between 2019 and 2023. The two suspects, Victor Mashakeng and Herbet Modiba, abondoned bail application and their case was postponed to 10 December 2024 for further investigations. Oupa Lebogo’s case was postponed until 15 November 2024 for profiling and bail application. Meanwhile, in Mecklenburg policing area, four suspects appeared at Moroke periodical court on Monday, 28 October 2024 for Murder of headman Setlamorago Thobejane and their case was postponed to 07 November 2024 for formal bail application. The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the investigating team and the community for providing valuable information resulting in the arrests. “We appreciate the partnership between the police and communities, resulting in the breakthrough in these complex cases,” Concluded the Provincial Commissioner Lt General Hadebe. The search for the other suspect on the run, Percy Lebogo is still underway. Police investigations are still ongoing. Ends
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