On Tuesday, Judge Pitso Molitsoane finally postponed the long-awaited trial to May 2023. This trial, which includes six men who allegedly plotted the hideous crime to murder Citi Med Managing Director, Siemens, will be cut into two.

It will resume from 2 to 5 May 2023, then take a recess of 10 days and recommence from 15 May to 9 June 2023 for a conclusion. 

The accused, including murder mastermind Stanley Bakili, a Bayswater police detective, a member of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), a disbarred advocate, an IT specialist and a repeat offender, are set to stand trial.

Siemens was shot dead in cold blood and in broad daylight in the parking lot of the Preller Square shopping complex in Bloemfontein in May 2018 by self-confessed shooter Xolisile Mbebetho, who is currently serving a 22-year life term.

Mbebetho confessed that he shot Siemens at least four times.

During the last session, OFM News reported that Bakili's legal representative, Masilo Koenane, had recused himself from representing his client. This then forced Bakili to go in search of a new lawyer, which he found in Phineas Mokoena, a legal aid lawyer.

ALSO READ: Siemens Murder Trial: Alleged mastermind's lawyer withdraws
 
The second accused, Molebatsi Mogoera, will breathe a sigh of relief after his attorney, Lebohang Mokhele, survived a chop while representing clients in court. This comes after the High Court suspended him with immediate effect following allegations of fraud, but Mokhele has since appealed the matter and as a consequence, the order stood down until the finalisation of the matter between him and his accusers.

On Monday, before the court resumed, Judge Molitsoane set the record straight following allegations that he was seen at a tombstone unveiling earlier in the company of one of the acquitted suspects, Moeketsi Lesia, a court interpreter. According to the allegations, they discussed Lesia's acquittal. Judge Molistoane branded the accusations as nonsense.

State prosecutor Advocate Johan de Nysschen also issued a strong warning against those attempting to bring an application of recusal against the judge without substantive motive and credible evidence, saying that they would be found in contempt of court.

The court has been dealing with the matter since 2019 while the case began in 2018.

Some of the suspects, including Bakili, have been incarcerated since the day of the murder on 10 May 2018.
Suspects in the murder of Siemens includes accused Stanley Bakili, Bloemfontein's Bayswater police detective Molebatsi Mogoera, former SANDF member Clive Tshivenga, repeat offender Mojalefa Jali Molosi, disbarred advocate Karabo Tau, and Information Technology specialist Sizwe Mpati.

In March this year, Judge Molitsoane discharged and acquitted two accused in the murder case. A court orderly, Kagiso Chabane, and police captain, Moeketsi Lesia, were acquitted on all charges against them.

OFM News