Getrude Makhafola

Getrude Makhafola

Former Ithuteng Trust pupil Simon "Dede" Setlaba was found not guilty of kidnapping and assault in the Protea magistrate's court yesterday.

Setlaba, 22, was accused of kidnapping and assaulting former Ithuteng student Simphiwe Ncoguthu in February 2006.

Magistrate Robert Buttom said it appeared as if Setlaba's case was the "tip of the iceberg". But, Buttom said that no reasonable court would convict Setlaba because his name was never mentioned in the statement given by Ncoguthu and that during the kidnapping Setlaba was present but did not take part.

The school's director Mama Jackey Maarohanye, Ronnie "Papa Action" Nyakale and Mpho Makhate were convicted of the same charges earlier this year. During their trial, Ncoguthu mentioned Setlaba as one of the people who had kidnapped and assaulted him. Setlaba's lawyer Ike Motloung yesterday applied for the court to discharge his client. Prosecutor Tanisha Chetty did not oppose the application.