Doubts about North West man's death as farmer's son faces murder rap

Missing North West man Tebogo Ndlovu. Picture: Screengrab

Missing North West man Tebogo Ndlovu. Picture: Screengrab

Published Sep 28, 2017

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Brits - The mother of missing North West man Tebogo Ndlovu on Wednesday dismissed rumours that her son was alive.

"It is not correct. I have not heard about this. If he is alive why is he not coming home," said emotionally drained Martha Ndlovu outside the Brits Magistrate's Court.

She was attending the bail hearing of 24-year-old Matthew Benson, accused of the murder of her son.

She said all she wanted was her son or his body.

Benson allegedly shot at Ndlovu, 24 and two of his friends when he found them at his father's Mooinooi farm, south of Brits on August 2. He had not been seen since he was shot at at the farm.

The three went to the farm intending to steal scrap metals but, Benson spotted them, chased and allegedly fired shots at them hitting Ndlovu. His friends picked him up and attempted to run with him but, he was too heavy for them, they left him behind under a tree and run up to a mountain.

The notion of Ndlovu being well and alive was brought by Benson's attorney Jeff Moyo on September 18, when he told reporters outside the court that Ndlovu was seen somewhere and the police must do their job and locate him. 

He repeated the same notion on September 22, during the bail hearing but, investigating officer Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Tlhapi told the court that he followed on allegations that Ndlovu was seen, only to find out that people who have claimed to have seen him were referring to the two men who escaped unharmed from the farm.

Residents of Majakaneng south of Brits waged a violent mass protest after Ndlovu was reported missing, they blocked major roads between Rustenburg and Pretoria. Five vehicles were torched during the protest. 

They further marched to the Mooinooi police station demanding that the police arrest Benson or give them his body. This was after information reached them that blood was found on the farm where Ndlovu was allegedly shot. 

Tlhapi told the court that blood stains found at the scene matched Ndlovu's mother, meaning it was probably her son’s blood.

Speculations that Ndlovu was alive gained momentum on Wednesday, with a reward of R10 000 posted on the Facebook page of the Madibeng Misdaad Verkeer Forum, for anyone who had information on where Ndlovu could be found. The post had his identity book photo with it.

Some of the people commented on the Facebook post saying Ndlovu was seen around Bapong near Majakaneng. The Facebook post was later removed.

Prosecutor Cassius Mona punched holes in the defence's case, stating that the case against Benson was strong and that there was no need to have a missing person's body to prove murder.

He referred the court to the State against William Nkuna case in which Nkuna was convicted and sentenced for the murder of policewoman Constable Francis Rasuge, although her body was never found.

Arguing for Benson to be released on bail, Moyo referred the court to the State's case against Pieter Doorewaard and Phillip Schutte in Coligny, North West, where the court granted them bail despite violent protest by community members.

The court room was packed with residents from Majakaneng supporting Ndlovu while a few of Benson's family and friends were in court, the others including his mother and father were outside the court due to lack of seats in the court room.

Magistrate Jethro Mosime was expected to make a ruling on the bail application on Friday.

African News Agency

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