By Kaya 959 Reporter
Six teenagers and two adults have been convicted in the murder trial of Thoriso Themane.
According to the NPA, in February 2019 the teens accused Themane of stealing a cap. They then assaulted him in Fauna Park in Polokwane.
The aspiring musician died in the hospital hours later.
The NPA says four of the boys were convicted of murder as they were involved during the assault.
The court found that the offenders never distanced themselves and that they were acting with a common purpose.
NPA spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, says the other two teens submitted a guilty plea which stated that they slapped the deceased and kicked him out of their vehicle.
“They then left the scene while the group of minors continued to assault the deceased. The court found them guilty on the count of common assault.”
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State witness testifies
Malabi-Dzhangi says the two adults, Alfred Mothapo and Chuene Maleka, were convicted of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
“The court remarked that Maleka and Mothapo upon their arrival at Mothapo’s house saw the deceased without enquiring. They then joined the group to assault the deceased with open hands and kicked him with booted feet. This
was the evidence of the state witnesses,” she says.
The men say the police were called to the scene but never arrived. Maleka and Mothapo decided to leave the group.
According to the NPA, Themane’s brutal assault was recorded on a cell phone video that went viral on social media in 2019.
The NPA says he tried to break loose from the group several times, however, the offenders caught him.
“At some stage, he was assaulted for 15 to 20 minutes and at all times when the events were unfolding the state witness was taking video footage. All offenders are on extended bail as the case is postponed to 24 February 2022 for
sentencing proceedings,” Malabi-Dzhangi says.
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