The State withdrew all charges against Kanathasen Munsamay and magistrate Hein van Niekerk excused him from the proceedings, in the Ficksburg Regional Court.

The trial of the seven remaining policemen Nicodemus Moiloa, Mothusi Magano, Mphonyana Ntaje, Olebogeng Mphirime, Solomon Moeketsi, Jonas Skosana and Isaac Finger then got under way. They are accused of murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

All seven have pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Tatane was killed in Meqheleng, allegedly by public order police, during a service delivery protest on April 13 last year.

Video footage showed riot police beating Tatane during the march to the Setsoto municipal offices in Ficksburg.

Roads were blocked with stones and bricks for several days and tyres set alight.

The State called its first witness, deputy chairman of the Meqheleng Concerned Citizens group Phillip Selokoe.

Soon after he began his testimony the case was adjourned for the day.

Comments

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Thu Jun 20 00:58:01 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 24, 2012

truthhurt

So the Government is encouraging police brutality, its a sad day.

May Andries Tatane soul never rest but haunt the SAPS forever.

Clearly we have got thugs in government.
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Apr 24, 2012

SteveBiko

So its oky to commit crime then when its time to face the law you turn state witness?
you got to love this country....
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Apr 24, 2012

zonduglamour

Simply put nje we have no gvt in SA
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Apr 24, 2012

luvly2570

the stupid saps, they think that they have every right... i pray that they get the panishment they deserve..... bloody police...
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Apr 24, 2012

RobinH

Steve Biko: Such deals are common practice throughout the world, and are frequently necessary in order to be able successfully to prosecute the remaining offenders. The real test will be to see if the state continues in their prosecution of the others.
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Apr 24, 2012

TKay

On what fndings did they withdraw the charges against the other one and why was the case adjourned during testimony - I see all of them walking fre.e
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Apr 24, 2012

MommaC

There is flippin video footage of it. What is so difficult to prosecute in this?
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Apr 24, 2012

skhokho21

MommaC, the video footage is not conclusive, I agree with TKay, they will all walk but the one who
f i r e d the s h o t might have to take the fall. Remember this was an i l l e g a l p r o t e s t, he resisted arrest, interfered with law enforcemtn while executing their duties, a s s a u l t i n g police. These guys will claim self defence.
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Apr 24, 2012

TDK

One who shot him will be charged with murder as for the batons guys for assault. GBH can and will be ruled out and be converted to a mere assault. ANC murdered Tatane just like the apartheid govt did before.
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