The accused are 40-year-old Ranaka Primary School teacher Thatayaone Motlhanka, 35-year-old Thebephatshwa Air Base soldier Kabelo Mokokota, 36-year-old Ngwaketse Land Board computer technician Bakang Ranthoakgale, and 40-year-old self-employed Aobakwe Mokokota. In court this morning the village Magistrate David Nkao berated the State for failing to adduce enough evidence before the courts and alluded that time and time again prosecutions fail the nation as he granted four murder accused person’s bail. Nkao was not pleased with the State this morning when he granted bail to the quartet.
The crimes detailed elsewhere in this edition from the loss of a former minister to the heartbreaking murder of a child, and public arson to relentless gender-based violence, paint a distressing picture of a society under strain.These are not isolated tragedies. They are a collective alarm bell, ringing out as we enter a period meant for peace and goodwill.The festive season, while a time of joy, can also amplify existing pressures.
