Families frustrated by delays in Mamelodi double murder case

The family of one of Tebogo Mnisi’s alleged victims has criticised the accused’s continued detention, saying the relatives

The 38-year-old suspect appeared briefly at the Mamelodi West Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where the case was postponed to the 19 March.

Mnisi faces two counts of premeditated murder for the fatal shooting of cousins Tshiamo Sweetness Moramaga (22) and Baleseng Mirandah Moramaga (21). He is also charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting 28-year-old Desmond Senong in the groin.

Senong’s uncle, Phillimon Matlala, condemned Mnisi’s prolonged stay in prison, saying the victims’ families continue to suffer while the accused lives comfortably in custody.

“They must just let him out because there is no use keeping him in prison. That is what pains me the most. There is no punishment that he is getting in there. He is getting big while his victims are six feet under ground. Why don’t they punish him while he is in there? He must suffer until he shivers but now he is getting bigger and even looks fit. He is living comfortably in there while others are crying endlessly. The family is in pain; the pain won’t go away for life all because of this boy,” Matlala said.

The alleged crimes have sparked outrage in Mamelodi, with some community members calling for the death penalty. The case has also renewed nationwide calls for Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) to be declared a state of emergency.

The Kwanele Foundation has called for calm amid public outrage over the postponement, calling on the community to trust South Africa’s criminal justice system.

Mnisi, who was reportedly in a troubled intimate relationship with one of the victims, allegedly fled the scene after the shooting, prompting an intensive police manhunt.

The matter has been postponed for a further eight weeks to allow the State to gather additional evidence. Mnisi has abandoned his bail application and told the court he has no previous convictions. He also confessed to the crimes in court.

Kwanele Foundation founder, Sihle Sibisi, says the organisation is confident that Mnisi will face the full might of the law.

“Remember the postponement today was because his docket is currently with the public prosecutions director and they are still awaiting some hospital J88 postmortem reports. Without them the case cannot continue. I completely understand and support the families in their frustration because I am sure this is causing secondary victimisation. They just want this case to close. Unfortunately, that is not how the law system works. We need to make sure that all corners are exhausted so that no loop hole is left out and that the perpetrator,” Sibisi said.

Community members in Mamelodi say they are closely monitoring the case and hope justice will ultimately be served.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao