Limpopo body parts accused abandons bail as co-accused denies role

MOKOPANE – The second accused in the Limpopo ritual murder case has abandoned bail as his co-accused claims he only transported the human parts, unaware of what was inside the bag, the Mokerong Magistrate’s Court, near Mokopane heard on Wednesday.

Stanley Mohlake told the court that he would no longer apply for bail. Mohlake changed his decision hours after his matter was transferred from the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court to Mokerong.

When the case was called, Mohlake told Magistrate Charity Kekana that he had abandoned his bid to be released on bail.

However, his co-accused, Edward Raatji who was the first accused in the murder and contravention of corpses rights, continued with his bail application.

Raatji, a second year law student at the University of Venda, told the court that he had three informal meetings with Mohlake prior to their arrest. He said he cancelled two planned meetings and plans to have a meeting with Mohlake, but could not explain why.

They were arrested on July 10, after they were found “marketing unusual products” at a taxi rank in Polokwane.

The State alleged that the two men killed an unknown woman and chopped off her head and genitals.

During the bail hearing, Raatji attempted to exonerate himself from the alleged crime, saying he gave Mohlake a lift, not knowing what he had inside the school bag.

The court heard that before the arrest Raatji visited Mohlake, apparently for the first time this year but did not disclose the purpose of the meeting.

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The second meeting occurred when Raatji offered Mohlake a lift from Mapela village to Mokopane, the same day the alleged sale was done.

He also offered Mohlake a lift from Mokopane to Polokwane where the two were arrested. The two separated for hours and allegedly met at a hiking spot after a while.

Raatji also told court that Mohlake had a school bag which was found in possession of human body parts.

The human head and genitals were found wrapped in newspaper.

The hearing was prolonged as Raatji and his legal representative Advocate Appo Molepo repeatedly wrestled over what to put as exceptional circumstances to be considered for by the court when making determination on bail.

The court was adjourned to July 27.