BLOEMFONTEIN lawyer Masilo Koenane has threatened to sue the state for millions of rands following what he called a miscarriage of law in the unlawful arrest of his client.
Koenane questioned the police’s credibility after they allegedly unlawfully arrested Lehlohonolo Thomas Rankuoatsana in connection with the murder and kidnapping of Machaka Radebe, whose body was found dumped in the veld in Bloemfontein.
Lehlohonolo appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court alongside Nhlanhla Jozi on Wednesday, 10 January facing charges of murder, kidnapping and extortion following the horrific murder of the grade 8 pupil.
Koenane said the deceased was reported missing on 2 December 2023 and her body was found on 4 December 2023.
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"My client has been in custody between 30 November 2023 and 6 December 2023. The deceased disappeared on 2 December and was found on 4 December which doesn't make sense. The accused was in Groetvlei Maximum Prison with another matter when the young lady was kidnapped and subsequently found murdered. The police have done a serious miscarriage of the law. And I’m prepared to sue the state for this wrongful arrest," he said.
Acting National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Mojalefa Senokoatsane said investigations were immediately launched, which led to the arrest of two suspects, including Rankuotsana.
Senior public prosecutor Ntai Letaba was tasked with the matter, and he met the family of the deceased to official informed them and give reasons why a decision was taken by the prosecution to withdraw the charges.
"The communities of Mangaung must rest assured that the withdrawal of the case against the accused does not render the case closed," he said.
