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CASE DELAYED: Student policeman Sipho Mbatha appeared in the Johannesburg High Court yesterday for the murder of 16-year-old Thato Godfrey Mokoka in Dobsonville, Soweto. PHOTO: MABUTI KALI

Judge Kathy Satchwell said the case was postponed because of her workload.

Sipho Mbatha is accused of murdering 16-year-old Thato Godfrey Mokoka in Dobsonville, Soweto, in February.

"I see there are a lot of people in the court today, but I have three trials on the [court] roll today," the judge said.

"Therefore I will not be able to hear all of them.

"Mister Mbatha, the case has now been postponed to Thursday July 26 for the availability of the court.

"I might be here or another judge might be here," Satchwell said.

Mbatha, who appeared in the Johannesburg High Court, is out on R5000 bail.

Mbatha and his colleagues allegedly went to a house belonging to Thato's grandmother, Sybil Mokoka, on Valentine's Day this year.

Thato was suspected of being in possession of an illegal firearm.

Thato was reportedly ordered to lie on his stomach and Mbatha, who was allegedly armed with an R5 rifle, restrained him while his colleagues searched the house.

Mbatha then "fired several shots at the deceased with his R5 assault rifle", read the indictment.

Thato died at the scene.

In his affidavit, Mbatha said: "I conducted a body search on him [Thato] and it was at that time that he was fatally shot."

Mbatha has been described as "unstable" and reportedly tried twice to commit suicide, although these claims have never been substantiated. - selebim@sowetan.co.za

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Wed May 22 15:30:12 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 24, 2012

Mygirl

Mbatha has been described as "unstable" and reportedly tried twice to commit suicide, although these claims have never been substantiated

======= But allowed to carry a weapon and attend duty call out.
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Jul 24, 2012

Kgaoza606

Out on R5000 bail nneh, and soon to be a free man for whatever reasons yet to be determined by our darling justice system. No wonder mob justice!!!!
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Jul 24, 2012

Lesoba-Le-Boya

Mo qeteng pele lekgotla le tswella pele...
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Jul 24, 2012

knobkirrie

Suspected of murder and on bail?? Am i missind something here?? In UK and America, murder suspects are kept in custody until after the trial. NX!!!
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Jul 24, 2012

K2A

Is this now they discover his "unstable" .........nonsense!!
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