Brits – Two women accused of burning a teenage girl to death in Klipgat near Letlhabile in North West, were granted bail of R3 000 each in the Brits Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.Magistrate Moses Maswanganyi said Gugulethu Thwala, 23, also known as Sharon, and Koketso Moyo, 22, would not interfere with investigations.
He said the accused had chosen to contact the police and not run away after Boitumelo Dlamini, 19, was burnt to death.
“They could have driven off from the scene and disappeared… They made a choice to go to the police,” he said.
The two, along with Cynthia Mosopi and Victor Pilane, are accused of kidnapping and burning Boitumelo Dlamini to death on June 18 at Klipgat outside Letlhabile.
The State alleges that they kidnapped Dlamini from Eletsa High School in Letlhabile.
Cynthia Mosopi had allegedly accused Dlamini of dating her former boyfriend, Tokelo Makelepho. Dlamini was doused with petrol and set alight after being taken to Klipgat.
Maswanganyi warned that the court would not be intimidated by community members who expected a certain decision and, if they did not get it, then threatened violence. This was after residents of Letlhabile picketed outside the court, calling for the magistrate not to grant bail to the two accused.
“If you take the law into your own hands, Boitumelo Dlamini will never see justice. One of the accused will help the State to prove its case against the perpetrators,” he said.
Thwala and Moyo were ordered to report to a nearby police station daily as part of their bail conditions.
The case was postponed to August 26.
Mangaliso Dlamini, Boitumelo’s uncle, said he was disappointed that the court had granted bail.
“It is not fair. I am not happy. The court should have considered the charges they are facing,” he said outside the court.
Cynthia Mosopi was not in court as she was recovering from burn injuries allegedly sustained in the attack on Boitumelo.
Victor Pilane was granted R2 000 bail last week and will also appear again on August 26
PH
