Residents under the Mogalakwena local municipality in Limpopo are looking to an upcoming bail application judgment to restore their hope for justice after a dark history of political hits in the area.
Community members in the area attended the bail application hearing of Jabulane Mashamaite and James Chuma, who stand accused of killing whistle-blowers Valtyn Kekana, 54, and Ralph Kanyane, 32.
Mashamaite and Chuma are among four people facing charges in relation to this case. Their co-accused, Samuel Seruputlane and Frans Mangadi, have opted not to apply for bail. The court is set to deliver judgment on the bail application on July 25.
On Monday, community members who have been calling for the accused not to get bail, gathered outside the court building. Baba Selomo from the SACP in Govan Mbeki district said the matter was a painful reminder of other cases involving political activists who were murdered.
“We have stated from day one that we are opposing bail. As activists of Mogalakwena we have been experiencing political killings with no arrests. So this is what we have been waiting for,” Selomo said.
Selomo referred to the cases of Mogalakwena Residents Association leader Piet Pale, who was shot and killed near his home in Mahwelereng in 2014. He was regarded as being strongly opposed to corruption. In 2006 the municipality’s former chief whip, Leka Lekalakala, was also killed.
“What made it so unsafe is corruption and access to capital that is meant to serve the...
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