McKenzie Ratselane, who has been in custody for the last seven months, on Thursday told the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court that he was not aware that the police were searching for him. 

The suspect who is facing five charges, including kidnapping, assault with serious bodily harm, and attempted murder, amongst others, says he left for Ennerdale in Gauteng to seek counsel from elders to fix what he terms material issues with Dimakatso Folotsi-Raletsane. He is on Thursday applying for bail after he previously abandoned his bid in February at his second court appearance. However, the state is opposing his bail application.

In his affidavit, McKenzie says he has four children but the state has disputed this and says contrary to this, the latter in fact has five children, with four outside his marriage and one with Folotsi-Raletsane. Police have further stated that McKenzie has family ties in the neighbouring countries of Lesotho and Botswana.

The investigator in the case added that the suspect was arrested in Gauteng at an informal settlement with the assistance of the Soweto Flying Squad and the Free State police from Sasolburg.

OFM News