COMMENT

Inspection in loco to be held in Coligny case

Pieter Doorewaard and Philip Schutte requested this be held ahead of cross examination of Brigadier Clifford Kgorane

Murder-accused farm workers to visit scene where Coligny teen died

An inspection in loco is expected to be held on Monday in the trial of two farm workers, who are accused of killing 16-year-old Matlhomola Moshoeu in Coligny last year.

The accused, Pieter Doorewaard, 26, and Philip Schutte, 34, requested the court to hold the inspection before they cross-examine provincial Organised Crime Head Brigadier Clifford Kgorane.

Kgorane testified on Friday that he was embarrassed by the manner in which the case was investigated.

He said the case was initially registered as an inquest but added that he was concerned because he was told there was an eyewitness.

The two accused allegedly caught Moshoeu stealing a sunflower on April 20, 2017. Doorewaard and Schutte claimed that they intended to drive him to the local police station but that he jumped off their bakkie along the way and broke his neck.

However, the eyewitness alleges that he was pushed.

Kgorane met with the eyewitness, who gave him a description of the accused. He said the witness told him who drove the vehicle and who allegedly pushed Moshoeu.

Judge Ronny Hendricks granted the application and told the accused to be at the Coligny police station on Monday at 09:00.

The accused have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, intimidation, kidnapping, theft, the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and pointing a firearm.

Moshoeu's death sparked protests in the area and some residents claimed he was killed because he was black. Several houses and businesses were burnt to the ground.

Doorewaard and Schutte are out on R5 000 bail each.

News24